Jan.30 (GMM) Christian Horner has added additional gasoline to hypothesis about his Method 1 future after being noticed on the FIA’s Paris headquarters for talks with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The assembly comes simply days after Flavio Briatore confirmed that Horner and his backers are amongst these exploring the acquisition of the 24 % Otro Capital stake in Alpine.
Whereas some rumours counsel the ousted Crimson Bull boss may contemplate various routes again into Method 1 – together with a extremely unlikely transfer involving Racing Bulls, and even discussions linked to a possible future twelfth group slot – the Alpine state of affairs continues to assemble momentum.
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes the end result is already determined.
“From what I’ve heard, the settlement between Horner and Alpine is principally already accomplished,” Schumacher mentioned on Sky Deutschland’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast. “It’s solely a matter of time earlier than we see Horner again within the paddock.”
Schumacher predicted, nevertheless, that any return wouldn’t be rapid.
“That will probably be extra round mid-season and even in direction of the top of 2027,” he mentioned.
He pointed to the present complexity at Alpine, together with its model new technical relationship with Mercedes.
“That additionally has to do with the truth that Mercedes is at present concerned with the group, and that Toto Wolff and Christian Horner are, logically, not precisely finest buddies,” Schumacher mentioned. “At Alpine, from what I’ve heard, they first need calm to return. Solely after that may they begin eager about structural modifications.”
Schumacher additionally steered Briatore’s affect might be a complicating issue.
“Somebody like Christian Horner would need an actual position – to be co-owner and to be current on website,” he mentioned. “That might imply Briatore’s sole management modifications, and even ends. And that’s precisely what he doesn’t need.”
