Toto Wolff delivers stern response to Christian Horner F1 block rumour

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has denied the German manufacturer has taken an interest in Alpine F1 shares simply to rival Christian Horner.

In recent months, it emerged that Otro Capital was open to selling its 24 per cent stake at Alpine.

Following his exit from Red Bull midway through the 2025 campaign, Horner began to explore options to return to the sport.

The Briton was linked with a role at Aston Martin and Ferrari, but more recently, it has been rumoured that he is gathering a consortium of investors to buy Otro Capital's shares in Alpine.

But Wolff has questioned Horner's ability to return, suggesting to Press Association that his style as Red Bull team principal burned bridges.

"He [Horner] has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm,” he said.

“When you say things ... but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best.”

However, Mercedes has also emerged as an interested party in the Alpine shares.

But Wolff has asserted it is purely a business-related concern, rather than a venture to deny Horner a route back to the grid.

"Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian,” he said. “And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. 

“It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not.

"We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven't come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense."