P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Christian Horner F1 return ‘delayed’
Christian Horner’s potential return to F1 may face a delay due to a stake sale deadline at Alpine being unveiled. Despite being out of the F1 scene since July after being removed as Red Bull team principal, Horner has been linked to several F1 teams for a comeback, especially to Alpine, with reports suggesting negotiations for a stake acquisition at the Enstone-based team. The 52-year-old is reportedly considering purchasing Otro Capital’s 24 percent share, but a recent Sport1 report hints at possible delays in the process. Sport1 indicates that Alpine is not expected to decide on selling its stake until September 2026, well into the next season, potentially causing a ripple effect, particularly concerning its engine supplier relationship with Mercedes. Horner’s long rivalry with Mercedes’ key figure Toto Wolff is cited as a possible cause for concern, though he maintains strong ties with Alpine’s de-facto principal, Flavio Briatore. The stakes Horner is eyeing were bought by Otro Capital in 2023 for about €200 million, expected to double in value over time.
