Christian Horner (Left): Image Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports Toto Wolff (right): Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Christian Horner (Left): Image Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports Toto Wolff (right): Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jun 6, 2026, 10:00 AM CUT
Alpine Boss Breaks Silence on Christian Horner’s F1 Talks and Toto Wolff's Failed $600M Deal
Alpine F1 chief Flavio Briatore has clarified many fronts of the team's 24% minority stake sale currently owned by Otro Capital. Both Christian Horner, who left F1 in mid-2025, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff were in negotiations to buy that stake, reportedly valued at $600 million.
Horner wanted to get in on the deal with a consortium of investors, while Mercedes, which already supplies engines to Alpine, was eyeing a solo bid. Unfortunately, earlier this week, Mercedes' talks with Otro Capital fell through, as Briatore confirmed on Friday.
During Friday's FIA press conference, Briatore first addressed Toto Wolff and Mercedes' negotiations.
"In one way, Otro is nothing to do with the team," he began. "Otro, its founders bought 24% of the team, Alpine, two years ago, and in the moment want to sell, like everybody knows. It was negotiated with Toto Wolff behind the Williams team, the Mercedes team. Looks like three days ago the agreement fell, all the negotiation."
Nov 21, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas team principal Toto Wolff arrives for practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas team principal Toto Wolff arrives for practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
After emphasizing that Otro is effectively independent in the negotiations, he defended Wolff, adding:
"The price was too high. At one point, the guys build up the different price and I think… Toto was very fair. I believe it. I don’t think the Otro people are fair. Toto, in all the negotiations was very fair."
Later in the presser, when Flavio Briatore was asked about Christian Horner's bid, he replied:
"But whoever buys the share from Otro needs the blessing from Renault. I see it [as] very difficult for somebody to spend 600 million to buy a minority in one company if it’s not agreed with the majority. I don’t understand the political doctrine, honestly, because in this moment it’s not going to work."
Flavio Briatore Has "Zero Problem" With Christian Horner Joining Alpine
Christian Horner's exit from Red Bull in June 2025 was sudden and seemed far from mutual. After a successful 19-year partnership that saw the team win eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championships under his leadership, the team fired him in the wake of deteriorating on-track performance.
Sport Bilder des Tages Flavio Briatore BWT Alpine F1 Team, Berater, BAH, Formel 1 Weltmeisterschaft, Gulf Air Grand Prix von Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Ankunft der Fahrer, Saison 2025, 11.04.2025 BAH, Formel 1 Weltmeisterschaft, Gulf Air Grand Prix von Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Ankunft der Fahrer, Saison 2025, 11.04.2025 Sakhir *** Flavio Briatore BWT Alpine F1 Team, Consultant , BAH, Formula 1 World Championship, Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Arrival of the drivers, 2025 season, 11 04 2025 BAH, Formula 1 World Championship, Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Arrival of the drivers, 2025 season, 11 04 2025 Sakhir Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/Memmlerx EP_MMR
Sport Bilder des Tages Flavio Briatore BWT Alpine F1 Team, Berater, BAH, Formel 1 Weltmeisterschaft, Gulf Air Grand Prix von Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Ankunft der Fahrer, Saison 2025, 11.04.2025 BAH, Formel 1 Weltmeisterschaft, Gulf Air Grand Prix von Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Ankunft der Fahrer, Saison 2025, 11.04.2025 Sakhir *** Flavio Briatore BWT Alpine F1 Team, Consultant , BAH, Formula 1 World Championship, Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Arrival of the drivers, 2025 season, 11 04 2025 BAH, Formula 1 World Championship, Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Arrival of the drivers, 2025 season, 11 04 2025 Sakhir Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/Memmlerx EP_MMR
The move seemingly resulted from the reported 'power struggle' he was involved in the background, which impacted harmony. Since then, he has been linked to multiple teams as he tries to find his way back in the paddock.
Haas was one such name, but team principal Ayao Komatsu shut down the rumors earlier this year. But Alpine? Flavio Briatore has no problem welcoming Christian Horner back.
"For me, welcome, I have zero problem, especially with Christian. I have a super relationship with Christian. I know him 20 years, and we worked together on the engine. I supplied the engine to him at the time with Renault, we called Nissan, and we were working for five years together. Super, zero problem."
Red Bull used Renault engines and dominated F1 from 2010 to 2013, before an eventual ugly split after 2015 due to performance concerns. The Renault engines were then rebadged by TAG Heuer and used until 2018, before Honda replaced them.
