Formula 1 Rumor: Horner and Ecclestone to buy into Alpine Team
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. If you want me to dig deeper into any specific aspect, let me know!