Christian Horner in talks with F1 team over sensational return - report

Christian Horner is still seeking a return to the F1 grid in the near future and is now actively engaged in talks with one team in particular, according to a report.

Horner, the long-time team principal at Red Bull, was dismissed from his position at the Milton Keynes-based earlier in the campaign.

The Briton has since negotiated his exit terms for the team and is now serving a period of gardening leave, which will not expire until after the 2026 season gets underway.

Aston Martin was heavily linked as a destination for Horner before team owner Lawrence Stroll made it clear to the team that the former Red Bull boss would not be joining.

De Telegraaf now reports that Horner is eyeing up a position at Alpine with the support of a group of investors.

Otro Capital currently holds 24 per cent of the shares at Alpine, but it is speculated that it is exploring the possibility of selling those shares.

Several celebrities, including Anthony Joshua and Rory McIlroy are affiliated with Alpine through Otro Capital's stake in the squad.

Should the equity firm be looking to sell its Alpine shares, it presents an opportunity for Horner to get back into F1.

It would see Horner work alongside Flavio Briatore, who returned to the Enstone-based squad last year in a management position.

De Telegraaf wrote that Horner did not decline that talks were being held with Alpine but that he refused to comment further.

Alpine endured a challenging F1 season this year as it struggled for pace across the campaign en route to finishing at the bottom of the constructors' standings.

Next year, it will enter the season running Mercedes power units after making the decision to cease its own engine department.