Alpine: Christian Horner is part of the group interested in buying into the French F1 team

Last year, financial magazine Forbes rated Ferrari as the most valuable team in Formula 1, external With a value of $6.5 billion (£4.8 billion), Mercedes is in second place with $6 billion (£4.4 million). A ranking of the 10 teams in Formula 1 last year placed Alpine in seventh place with a value of $2.45 billion

Horner, who led Red Bull to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles in 20 years, has not spoken publicly since losing his position at Red Bull.

But he made it privately clear to many senior Formula 1 insiders that if he returned he wanted full control of the team, a role above that of team principal and a significant contribution.

The acquisition of Alpine cannot meet these requirements unless Renault gives up a majority of its shares.

He was sacked by Red Bull after a tumultuous two years during which he was accused of sexual harassment, coercion and controlling behavior of a female employee and a decline in the team’s standard that bosses felt would not be recovered from with him in charge.

Horner has always denied the allegations and they were rejected by two internal Red Bull investigations.

During 2024, three key employees have decided to leave Red Bull, namely Technical Director Adrian Newey, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley and Head of Strategy Will Courtenay.

Following his departure and replacement by Frenchman Laurent Mekes, Red Bull’s performance has rebounded and Max Verstappen launched a late attack on the 2025 drivers’ title, losing to McLaren’s Lando Norris by just two points at the end of the season.

Verstappen told BBC Sport in an interview at the final race of last season that he “always had a great relationship with Christian and still to this day, a lot of people appreciate what he did for the team.”

He added: “Sometimes, when a team works for a very long time, very well, and then at some point it is not the case, and there is not really a clear direction out of it, sometimes the management makes a big change.”