Keeping Bernie Ecclestone away from Formula 1 is virtually impossible, despite the fact that he’s 94 years old.

Formula 1 wouldn’t be what it is today without Bernie Ecclestone, and his age isn’t stopping him from getting involved in discussions about the sport’s future.

He’s been spotted in the paddock several times this season, and Ecclestone even gave his verdict on Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, among other topics.

Ecclestone has always enjoyed a close relationship with Christian Horner ever since he led Red Bull onto the grid for the first time in 2005.

Horner included Ecclestone in a recent F1 commission meeting, as he gave his opinion on the upcoming regulations changes in 2026.

Dutch commentator and F1 expert Nelson Valkenburg has now shared the latest stories he’s heard coming from the paddock about the pair.

Unsurprisingly, it involves Alpine, valued at £1.2bn, and their future in the sport and the impending exit of Renault CEO Luca de Meo.

Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Christian Horner and Bernie Ecclestone rumoured to be making Alpine ownership move

Valkenburg was speaking on The Race F1 Podcast about Horner’s future and his potential next steps in the sport.

Ralf Schumacher believes Horner faces a problem returning to Formula 1, but the Dutch commentator explained: “When Ferrari was definitely interested, Horner was the right person to attract other big names.

‘And that situation changed, though, in the last year and a half. He’s not been able to keep or attract big names to the team, and that’s part of the team’s problems.

“I just have a feeling he’s going to end up at Alpine. I’ve seen him in talks with both De Meo, who’s out, I know and Briatore for hours and hours.

“What he wants most is to be a team owner. I feel he would love to own a team, and that team is partly up for sale.

“There have been rumours in this paddock that with some backing, maybe from Bernie Ecclestone himself, he could find himself at least a minority stake owner at Alpine.

“But that can only happen after January, because I think he’s under contract until then at Red Bull.

“But if I had to put money on it, he’s going to Alpine. But that’s still a long way away.”

Alpine remain firm on their stance that Formula 1 team is not for sale

There are currently 10 teams on the grid, with an 11th in the form of Cadillac preparing to enter the sport next season.

Formula 1 is becoming more and more lucrative, but it’s hard to imagine any team on the grid considering a sale when the valuation of their assets is constantly increasing.

Bids have reportedly been turned down for Racing Bulls in the past, and it’s hard to imagine Red Bull letting their second team go unless they’re forced to by the FIA for competitive reasons.

De Meo previously declared he has no interest in selling Alpine, while the team’s chief advisor, Flavio Briatore, previously assured Alpine staff the team wouldn’t be sold.

However, with De Meo about to move on, all eyes are on whether Renault change their mind about the team’s future.

Briatore has been linked with bringing Horner in, but after more than 20 years guiding Red Bull as team principal and CEO, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he wanted a more controlling stake elsewhere on the grid.

Alongside Ecclestone, he would be investing with one of the most influential voices in motorsport history.