Formula 1 Rumor: Horner and Ecclestone to buy into Alpine Team (2nd Update)

Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone is busy raising capital. Could it be to buy into the Alpine team with Horner?

After selling his complete car collection recently, in a complete cleanout of some of his most prized possessions, Formula 1 legend Ecclestone has sold his $22,000,000 superyacht and listed a second boat for sale.

Now, he’s putting millions of dollars’ worth of boats up for sale, including his iconic Petara superyacht.

Speaking to Bild, Bernie Ecclestone said, “We just sold it.”

His wife, Fabiana, added, “‘We only used it eight days in a year. We don’t need such a big yacht for that.”

Fresh speculation has emerged linking Christian Horner with a possible consortium preparing a major investment move in Formula 1 – amid reports that Alpine’s minority shareholder Otro Capital is exploring a sale of its 24 percent stake reports Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal.

According to Sports Business Journal, the private equity firm has held early talks about a potential divestment, with the holding originally valued at around US 900 million when acquired in mid-2023.

The news comes as F1 team valuations continue to soar, with Aston Martin and Red Bull’s sister squad Racing Bulls recently cited at figures exceeding USD 2 billion.

Sources say the discussions are not yet advanced, but the timing has fueled speculation that a new investor group – possibly including senior paddock figures – could be circling. Recent paddock whispers have linked ousted Red Bull team boss Horner to efforts aimed at assembling a billion-dollar investment consortium seeking entry or partnership opportunities within F1.

Renault retains the first-offer right should Otro sell, and its CEO has reiterated the company’s long-term commitment to F1 under the Alpine banner.

Related Article: F1 News: Alpine completes €200 million stake sale Otro Capital

Related Article: Formula 1 Rumor: Horner eyes $2 billion F1 return – report

Dutch commentator and F1 expert Nelson Valkenburg, has shared the latest stories he’s heard coming from the paddock about Christian Horner.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Speaking about Horner’s future and his potential next steps in the sport, Valkenberg says Christian Horner and Bernie Ecclestone are rumored to be orchestrating an Alpine F1 team buy-in.

Ralf Schumacher also believes Horner “is going to end up at Alpine. I’ve seen him in talks with both De Meo, who’s out, I know and Briatore for hours and hours.

“What he wants most is to be a team owner. I feel he would love to own a team, and that team is partly up for sale.

“There have been rumors in this paddock that with some backing, maybe from Bernie Ecclestone himself, he could find himself at least a minority stake owner at Alpine.

“But that can only happen after January, because I think he’s under contract until then at Red Bull.

“But if I had to put money on it, he’s going to Alpine. But that’s still a long way away.”

Alpine is undergoing significant instability, with frequent changes in leadership (six team principals in three years) and uncertainty following Oliver Oakes’ departure as team principal in May 2025. Briatore is currently acting as the de facto leader, but the team is reportedly seeking a long-term solution.

Renault’s impending exit of CEO Luca de Meo adds to speculation that the company might reconsider its commitment to Alpine, potentially opening the door for a sale or partial investment

Briatore has been linked with bringing Horner in, but after more than 20 years guiding Red Bull as team principal and CEO, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he wanted a more controlling stake elsewhere on the grid.

F1 analysts like Ted Kravitz and Karun Chandhok have called Alpine a “natural and logical” destination for Horner, citing its proximity to his UK residence and his ties with Ecclestone and Briatore.

While the narrative of Horner and Ecclestone buying into Alpine is compelling, it’s worth noting that much of the information comes from unverified sources and speculative posts on X.

The F1 media often amplifies rumors, especially during periods of upheaval like Red Bull’s recent struggles or Alpine’s instability. Without concrete evidence of a deal, this could be more paddock gossip than a done deal. Moreover, Ecclestone’s age and Horner’s recent controversies might raise questions about their ability to secure such a high-stakes investment.

In summary, while there’s no confirmed deal, the combination of Horner’s ambition, Ecclestone’s financial backing, and Alpine’s uncertain future makes this a plausible scenario. Keep an eye on developments, as the next few weeks could clarify whether this is a serious move or just speculative noise.