Christian Horner is in advanced discussions with BYD to acquire a controlling stake in Alpine F1, with Flavio Briatore expected to exit the Enstone operation he rejoined in June 2024. The deal values Alpine at $750 million to $900 million, per three sources briefed on the term sheet. Renault Group's board meets January 28 to review the proposal. A name change would follow closing.
Briatore returned as executive advisor nine months ago to stabilize Alpine after its worst constructor finish in three years. The team placed sixth in 2024 with 65 points, down from fourth in 2022. His mandate: cut losses, attract OEM capital, preserve Enstone and Viry jobs. The BYD negotiation delivers two of three. Renault's works engine program shuts regardless; Alpine commits to Mercedes power units for 2026. Briatore's role ends when the sale completes, likely March. He does not join the new structure.
Horner's involvement is the signal. Red Bull Racing's team principal since 2005, he has never held equity in an F1 operation. His personal net worth sits near $60 million; this requires consortium backing. BYD supplies it. The Shenzhen-based EV manufacturer posted $18.4 billion profit in Q3 2024 and sponsors multiple European football clubs. F1 ownership offers brand access in markets where tariffs complicate vehicle imports. Horner's role would split: retain Red Bull day-to-day leadership, chair the Alpine-BYD entity. FIA regulations permit team principal dual roles if no competitive overlap exists; both teams use different power units from 2026.
The rebranding matters more than the name. Alpine's identity always sat uneasily—a niche sports car brand fronting a cost-capped F1 team burning $165 million annually. BYD's name on the chassis turns the team into a manufacturer showcase, not a marketing expense. Expect livery dominance, title-sponsor economics reversed, and Zhou Guanyu in the second seat by mid-2026. Gasly's contract runs through 2025; extension talks have stalled since November. BYD wants a Chinese driver. Zhou, currently at Sauber, is the only credentialed option.
Renault's exit mirrors Honda's 2020 departure: announce engine withdrawal, sell team assets, retain Viry as R&D hub for road cars. The French government holds 15% of Renault shares and extracted one concession—no factory closure before 2028. The deal preserves 450 Enstone jobs and 200 at Viry under new ownership. Manufacturing and aero stay; engine work converts to EV powertrain development for BYD's European passenger lineup. Union reps signed off January 12.
Watch Horner's movements at Red Bull's RB21 launch, February 14. If he appears alongside BYD executives in Milton Keynes, the deal is papered. FIA ownership approval requires six weeks; closing before Bahrain testing (February 26) keeps the Alpine name for one final race weekend. The rebrand goes live at the Miami GP, May 2, when BYD's U.S. brand push begins. Gasly's next contract talks now involve three parties, not two.
Briatore leaves F1 for the third time. He won't return. The man who signed Schumacher and managed Alonso exits before the sport's EV transition completes, his Rolodex exhausted, his utility expired. The Chinese OEM takes his seat.