Horner could have a 'clean slate' to rebuild an F1 team who haven't won a race for four years – journalist

Christian Horner will soon be able to return to the Formula 1 paddock after officially confirming his exit from Red Bull.

The 51-year-old was relieved of his duties as team principal of Red Bull shortly after the British GP. However, Horner remained on the books in Milton Keynes as his contract ran until 2030.

Now, a settlement has been reached between the two parties and the Brit has officially left the team after 20 years. Horner received an £80m payout from Red Bull, turning down an estimated £110m so that he could return to F1 at an earlier date.

Horner could return to F1 next summer and begin his next challenge in the paddock in 2026, in time for the new technical regulations. Several teams have been heavily linked with his services since his dismissal as Red Bull boss back in July.

Cadillac is not an option for Horner as the team have reiterated their commitment to team principal Graeme Lowdon. The 51-year-old will likely take on an ownership role within an F1 outfit, with Alpine being heavily mentioned.

Christian Horner could have a ‘clean slate’ to rebuild Alpine after Red Bull exit

Horner has a close relationship with Flavio Briatore, who is currently acting as team leader at Alpine. Rumours have suggested that the 75-year-old could look to bring his friend on board in Enstone.

Ralf Schumacher has hinted that Horner could replace Briatore ‘at the top’ if he were to join Alpine. Journalist Jon Noble says it would give the former Red Bull boss a ‘clean slate’ to repeat his success in Milton Keynes.

“Alpine, we know Christian Horner is very good friends with Flavio Briatore. Alpine’s obviously going under a restructuring under Briatore,” he said via The Race YouTube channel.

“It’s moved away from the Renault works engine deal, it’s gone towards Mercedes customers for next season. And it would give Christian almost a clean slate to recreate a team that’s at the bottom, pushing it forwards.

“Now, Flavio Briatore at the Dutch Grand Prix was asked about Horner: ‘What about the rumours of a potential buyout from Christian’, it could even involve Bernie Ecclestone.

“Flavio’s words were very specific about, at this moment, Christian isn’t in Formula 1. At this moment, it’s not happening. But it was very much: ‘At this moment’, and I call that, in F1 terms, the non-denial denial. So, you’ve got to look very carefully [at] what he said.”

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Is Alpine the right move for Christian Horner?

Horner has been meeting with Briatore in private since his Red Bull exit. While the Alpine boss has denied rumours that the 51-year-old will join the team now, a lot can change come 2026.

Alpine are in desperate need of a resurgence as they sit last in the constructors’ championship. The team, who have not won a race since Esteban Ocon at the Hungarian GP in 2021, are going through a rebuilding phase as they move towards Mercedes engines next season.

If he were to take on an ownership role, Horner would have to invest £298m in Alpine to buy shares. It is a significant fee to dish out on what is a huge risk, considering the team’s lack of performance and uncertainty about their future in F1.

After the departure of CEO Luca de Meo, Alpine’s new boss could take them out of F1, with rumours of a sale being rife. Horner himself has been critical of Renault’s ownership during Red Bull’s engine partnership deal; it may not be the smoothest of relationships.