Christian Horner in Talks with Former McLaren Backer Over Alpine F1 Stake
Christian Horner, the former Red Bull Racing team principal, is engaged in discussions with institutional investors, including a former backer of McLaren Racing, regarding the potential acquisition of a stake in the French Formula One outfit, Alpine. Sky News has learned that these talks could mark a significant move in Horner's bid to return to the F1 grid after his departure from Red Bull last autumn.
Investor Interest in Alpine Stake
Sources indicate that MSP Sports Capital, which sold its stake in McLaren Racing in late 2025, is among the parties that have approached Horner about backing a potential offer for Otro Capital's 24% share in Alpine. This interest comes as part of a broader group of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional investors exploring opportunities with Horner. Last month, Alpine confirmed that Horner and his consortium were among multiple parties expressing interest in the stake, with any deal likely to value the team between $2 billion and $2.5 billion.
Horner's Potential Return to Formula One
Having spent two decades with Red Bull Racing, overseeing six constructors' championships and eight drivers' titles, Horner has been actively seeking a return to the sport in recent months. While his ultimate goal is believed to be securing a controlling stake in an F1 team, Renault Group's willingness to relinquish its 76% majority ownership of Alpine remains uncertain. Alpine's performance in the 2025 World Championship, where they finished last with only 22 points, contrasts sharply with McLaren's dominant season, which saw them amass 833 points.
Background on MSP Sports Capital
MSP Sports Capital previously led a deal in 2020 to acquire an initial 15% stake in McLaren Racing, valuing the business at £560 million post-investment. This provided crucial capital to the McLaren Group during the pandemic. In a more recent transaction last autumn, MSP benefited from a deal that valued McLaren Racing at approximately £3.5 billion, with Mumtalakat and CYVN Holdings acquiring the remaining 30% stake. This reflects growing investor appetite for F1 assets, as seen with Aston Martin's planned stake sale in its Grand Prix team at a £2.4 billion valuation.
Current Status and Implications
As of Monday, Horner could not be reached for comment, and the likelihood of MSP Sports Capital's participation in a deal remains unclear. The identities of other prospective backers have not been disclosed. If successful, this acquisition would represent a challenging journey for Horner to revive Alpine's fortunes, given their current standing at the back of the grid. MSP Sports Capital has declined to comment on the talks, leaving the F1 community to speculate on the potential reshaping of team ownership in the sport.
