Ex-Red Bull boss Horner eyes F1 possible return as an investor

Christian Horner’s absence from Formula One may be short-lived. Horner, the famed former Red Bull boss who was fired by the company in July, is among a group eyeing a possible investment into F1 team Alpine.

The French outfit confirmed Horner’s interest in a statement Sunday.

In December 2023, Alpine finalized ‍the sale ‌of a 24% stake to American sports- investment firm Otro Capital and a group of investors that ‍included golf pro Rory McIlroy, NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, boxer Anthony Joshua and actor/businessman Ryan Reynolds.

Otro in recent months has explored selling its stake, meeting with potential investors. Enter Horner.

“It is ‍no secret that Otro Capital has held preliminary talks to sell its stake in the team,” ‍Alpine said in the Sunday statement.

“The team is regularly approached and contacted from potential investors, particularly given Otro Capital declared exploratory talks have taken place. One of those parties to express an interest is a group of investors, which also includes Christian Horner.”

Reports of Otro’s potential interest in selling surfaced in October of last year, with Markets Group reporting that Otro’s initial investment of ‌roughly $900 million in 2023 would likely fetch far more money in a sale.

Horner, ‍52, led Red Bull for 20 years but was officially terminated on Aug. 13, 2025, after being dismissed by the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, after the British Grand Prix a month ​earlier.

In his time at Red Bull, Horner oversaw 124 grand prix wins, eight driver titles -- four by Max Verstappen and four for Sebastian Vettel -- and six constructors’ titles.

No official reason was given for Horner’s ​dismissal at the ‍time, though the team was struggling to keep up with McLaren in the standings ‌as questions arose about the future of Verstappen and rumors swirled about a power struggle between Horner and some other senior leaders at Red Bull.

Additionally, Horner -- who is married to Geri Halliwell of Spice Girls ​fame -- had been ‌embroiled in scandal over inappropriate behavior with a female colleague multiple times, allegations he denied. Horner’s settlement with Red Bull at the time of his termination (he was under contract into the 2030s) was believed to be worth as much as $100 million.

Agencies