Christian Horner’s return to F1 could be delayed as Alpine documents reveal legal hurdle

Christian Horner could find Alpine clause to be a hurdle

Christian Horner has recently been linked to Alpine, with reports suggesting he could be backed by minority shareholder Otro Capital. But documents seen by PlanetF1 show that such a move is far from straightforward.

A clause in Alpine’s articles apparently blocks Otro from selling its 24 per cent stake until September 2026 — and even then, Renault, the team’s majority owner, has to sign off on any deal.

The clause, dated 13 September 2023, states that Otro cannot sell its 24 per cent stake in the Alpine F1 team for three years following the adoption of the company’s articles.

Any sale to a third party also requires formal approval from Renault, the team’s majority owner.

This restriction means Horner, who is understood to have secured backing to acquire the stake, will not be able to complete any purchase until at least mid-September 2026.

The clause provides Renault with control over when and to whom any minority shares can be transferred, creating a substantial barrier to entry for potential investors.

Delay could cool Alpine takeover talks

The delay is significant because Otro’s investment has grown sharply in value. The firm’s 24 per cent holding, bought in June 2023 for around €200 million, is now worth an estimated $588 million, representing a 170 per cent return in just over two years.

Reports suggest Otro is interested in selling, but any transaction remains subject to the timeline and Renault’s approval.

Flavio Briatore, currently involved in Alpine’s management setup, has publicly denied that Horner has any active role with the team.

He told Motorsport Week that “Christian is not in Formula One anymore. I hope he comes back soon, but for the moment, he’s not in the picture of Alpine.”

With the clause in place, any immediate Alpine acquisition appears unlikely. The situation means Horner’s potential return to Formula 1 could be delayed until at least late 2026, depending on how negotiations evolve between Renault and its investors.