Horner interested in Otro's Alpine stake, says Briatore

BARCELONA, Jan 23 : Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner could take a stake in the Alpine Formula One team but Renault would have to approve any deal with minority shareholders, Alpine's executive advisor Flavio Briatore said on Friday.

Horner - one of the most successful principals ever and a leading figure on Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' F1 docu-series - was sacked last May, reportedly with an 80 million pound ($108.72 million) payoff.

Alpine are majority-owned by French carmaker Renault but sold a 24 per cent stake to a group of investors led by Otro Capital in 2023 for 200 million euros ($235.36 million). 

Valuations are now considerably higher, with Mercedes recently put at $6 billion.

Otro's group of investors include RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments with a list of top athletes including Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as well as NFL star Patrick Mahomes and golfer Rory McIlroy.

There has been persistent speculation about Alpine and Horner, with the British-based team seen as providing his most likely way back to the paddock as a co-owner rather than employee.

"Otro wants to sell their participation in Alpine," Briatore told reporters at the launch of Alpine's new F1 car on an MSC cruise liner in Barcelona's port when asked about developments.

"It's a few groups interested to buy 24 per cent...the moment somebody buys 24 per cent, we still have 75 per cent and then we discuss. But for the moment this is the situation."

Briatore said he had known Horner for many years but any talks between the Briton and Otro had nothing to do with him or Renault because "he is negotiating with Otro, not negotiating with us.

"First you need to buy Otro (shareholding) and after Renault needs to accept