Horner and Alpine remain reserved regarding team buyout rumors.

      The team "never makes public comments on such matters."

      Christian Horner has not dismissed the possibility of discussions regarding a return to Formula 1 ownership, as reports suggest that the former Red Bull leader may be looking into acquiring a minority stake in Alpine. According to De Telegraaf, the investment company Otro Capital is considering the sale of its 24 percent stake in the Enstone-based team, with Horner listed among those interested alongside other investors.

      "When inquired, Horner does not deny having talks with Renault or Alpine, but opted not to elaborate further," the Dutch newspaper notes. A spokesperson for Alpine provided a brief response, indicating that the team "never publicly comments on such matters."

      Other sources, including L’Equipe, indicate that Flavio Briatore is not particularly pleased with Horner's interest, suggesting that Renault might be even less inclined to reconnect with him.

      Views regarding Horner's legacy are mixed. Some believe his assertive leadership style ultimately damaged Red Bull, while others highlight his achievements, with some even claiming that Max Verstappen could have won the 2025 title had Horner, rather than Laurent Mekies, remained at the helm. Mekies, however, disputes the notion that Red Bull has lost its edge without Horner. "I’m not sure if Red Bull was more aggressive before," he stated. "In the end, we fought fairly and cleanly in 2025, and that’s the spirit in which I wish to compete.

      "We continue to push ourselves to our limits and sometimes exceed them. Yet, regarding fair play, I'm convinced that it’s possible to deliver top performances while respecting our competitors." He continued, "We’ve ensured that racing is our focus and don’t allow ourselves to be sidetracked by outside noise. Essentially, we simply want to do what we love most - to make our own car faster on the track."

      Meanwhile, Dr. Helmut Marko, another of Red Bull’s long-time staunch figures who has since departed, expressed surprise at the response to his exit. "I’m pleasantly surprised," he told Servus TV. "It indicates that perhaps we weren’t completely wrong in our approach. In retrospect, we might have done one or two things slightly differently.

      "What remains are four World Championship titles with Sebastian Vettel, four World Championship titles with Max Verstappen, and seven Constructors’ titles." Marko asserted that Verstappen will manage perfectly without him. "Max is a four-time world champion and has established himself as one of the best Formula 1 drivers globally - he doesn’t need me as a lifeline."