Christian Horner 'negotiating' over F1 return with Alpine

Christian Horner is "negotiating" over a minority purchase of Alpine that would confirm his return to Formula 1.

Horner has been out of F1 since his shock sacking from Red Bull in early July last year, ending a 20-year association with the team, of which he was its team principal and CEO.

Horner has since been linked with various teams about a possible return, with Alpine the most prominent, potentially joining forces with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Alpine is primarily owned by Renault, with a 24% stake in the hands of several private investors, spearheaded by private investment firm, Otro Capital, and supported by the likes of actors Ryan Reynolds and Michael B. Jordan, as well as Kansas City Chiefs star duo Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

If Horner is to make an F1 comeback, it is known he wants to buy into a team, rather than solely take up any kind of management or leadership role, with the possibility of purchasing the Alpine stake potentially affording him the opportunity he craves. 

Alpine team boss Flavio Briatore, who is good friends with Horner, has confirmed talks are taking place between Horner and Otro.

Speaking to the media at the team's launch of its A526 in Barcelona, Briatore said: "In this moment, there is a lot of confusion.

"[There are] A few groups [interested]. I don't know how many - six, seven. Every day, there is a new group. Every day, people call me about Otro. I don't care. 

"So [suppose] Otro wants to sell their participation in Alpine. The moment somebody buys 24% of Otro, we still have 75% [the rest], and we discuss it. But for the moment, this is the situation."

Confirming his friendship with Horner, he added: "I've known Christian for many years. I talk with Christian anyway, but this has nothing to do with me.

“First, you need to buy Otro [its shareholding]. After Renault needs to accept the buyer, and after that, we see what will happen. 

"But there's no link with me, because he's negotiating with Otro, he's not negotiating with us."

As to whether Horner would be a good asset to Alpine, Briatore replied: "I think everybody's a good asset to the team, depending on what position you put the people. No problem."