In a development that has sent absolute shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, one of the sport’s most controversial and successful figures is plotting a comeback that no one saw coming. Christian Horner, the architect behind Red Bull Racing’s modern dynasty, is not just looking for a job—he is looking to own the team that finished dead last.

Exclusive reports indicate that Horner is in active, high-stakes negotiations to acquire a substantial ownership stake in the struggling Alpine F1 Team, potentially using the massive golden parachute he received from Red Bull to fund the move. But amidst the business dealings, a deeply personal revelation from Max Verstappen has emerged, painting a picture of a secret alliance that continued long after Horner was unceremoniously removed from his post.

The $60 Million Power Play

When Christian Horner departed Red Bull in July 2025, following the British Grand Prix, he didn’t leave empty-handed. Reports suggest he walked away with a staggering payout in the region of $60 million (approx. £45m). Now, it appears he is ready to reinvest that fortune into the very sport that exiled him.

Horner is reportedly eyeing a 24% stake in Alpine, currently held by Otro Capital. This is the same investment group that made headlines in 2023 by bringing in Hollywood A-listers like Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Michael B. Jordan. Despite pumping over $200 million into the French outfit, the “Hollywood dream” has turned into a competitive nightmare. With the investors looking for an exit strategy after less than three years, Horner sees an opening.

His “gardening leave” expires in April 2026, perfectly timing his return for the start of the new regulation era. But why Alpine? Why would the man who oversaw Max Verstappen’s four world championships want to take charge of a team that finished 10th in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship?

The answer is simple: Desperation creates opportunity. Alpine is a team in crisis. Their 2025 campaign was an unmitigated disaster, with Pierre Gasly describing it as the “lowest haul” of his career and brutally telling his team to “keep the car out of my sight.” In this vacuum of leadership and performance, Horner offers the one thing Alpine lacks: a proven, ruthless track record of winning.

Verstappen’s Bombshell: The Secret Calls

While the business world focuses on the Alpine deal, the emotional core of this story comes from Max Verstappen. In a candid and explosive interview with Viaplay, the four-time World Champion pulled back the curtain on what really happened after Horner was sacked.

Despite the public separation, Verstappen revealed that he and Horner remained in constant contact throughout the second half of the 2025 season. As Verstappen clawed back a seemingly impossible 104-point deficit to Lando Norris, eventually losing the title by a heartbreaking two points, Horner was secretly in his corner.

“We kept in touch every single week,” Verstappen admitted. “During every race—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”

While new Team Principal Laurent Mekies tried to steer the Red Bull ship, Horner was acting as a shadow mentor to his former prodigy. “It’s more about him saying ‘I wish you the best of luck’ and ‘I believe in you’,” Verstappen explained. “Christian ultimately went through fire for me.”

This revelation recontextualizes the entire 2025 season. It proves that despite the corporate power struggles and the “unrest” that led to Horner’s dismissal, the bond between the driver and his former boss remains unbreakable. Verstappen refused to let the politics of F1 sever a relationship forged in the fires of the intense 2021 title fight.

The Mercedes Complication

If Horner does take the reins at Alpine, he faces a deliciously awkward reality. From 2026, Alpine will become a customer team, using Mercedes power units. This means Horner would be directly reliant on Toto Wolff, his arch-nemesis during the Red Bull-Mercedes rivalry.

The relationship between Horner and Wolff has been historically frosty, often spilling into open hostility. The idea of Horner—now an owner-principal at Alpine—having to attend engine meetings with Wolff is a scriptwriter’s dream. Furthermore, Horner carries the baggage of his feud with Helmut Marko, whose political maneuvering was a key factor in Horner’s initial exit from Red Bull.

A New Challenge or a huge Gamble?

The road ahead for Alpine is treacherous. They have discarded rookie Jack Doohan after just six races, cycled through management, and are now pinning their hopes on the 2026 regulation changes. But with Horner potentially at the helm, the dynamic shifts instantly.

He brings credibility. He brings fear. And, perhaps most importantly, he brings a desire for redemption.

Meanwhile, Verstappen faces his own future hurdles. He has been testing GT3 cars with an eye on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, a dream that is currently being stifled by the grueling 2026 F1 calendar. As he navigates a Red Bull team without his longtime mentor, the question arises: could we ever see a reunion?

For now, Christian Horner is plotting his return. He isn’t just knocking on the door of F1; he’s trying to buy the building. If he succeeds in turning Alpine around, it will be the greatest second act in the history of the sport. If he fails, it will be an expensive footnote. But one thing is certain: F1 is never boring when Christian Horner is involved.