Horner leaving Red Bull: Why he's better off at Alpine

GPblog understands that Christian Horner is less and less firmly in the saddle at Red Bull Racing, as you can read here. For example, the Thai owner of Red Bull no longer unconditionally protects him. Horner's powers have also been severely restricted. In the meantime, Horner is even looking for another employer. So the Briton may indeed leave.

Credit where credit is due: Christian Horner has managed as team principal to make Red Bull Racing a team that wins Grands Prix and world championships. The Brit truly deserves all the credit for this, since more than enough teams have entered F1 only to bow out disillusioned shortly after.

Not Red Bull, certainly not Horner. But as with almost everything in life: everything comes to an end at some point. And it seems that Horner is becoming more aware of this. Sure, he is still the team boss of Red Bull, but his powers have been considerably curtailed. For instance, Horner is no longer allowed to sign drivers' contracts. Yet, it's painful when just that is one of the core tasks of a team principal.

It's easy to understand that Horner wouldn't give up his job at Red Bull, as it is his baby. And without a doubt, the Brit believes he is the right man to put a stop to their problems on track. But is that really possible, in an organisation that's been on their toes because of him - after so much trouble around Horner.

Horner is devoted to Formula 1 and presumably also his handsome annual salary at Red Bull, which surely makes him not want to give up. But possibly, at another team, he could continue to earn millions and also start with a clean slate. At Alpine for example, the French team that has Flavio Briatore at the helm temporarily with the ambition to fight for titles.

For both Horner and Alpine, it would be a match made in heaven: Alpine can benefit from Horner's expertise, while the Brit himself would no longer feel the burden of Red Bull. It is understandable that Horner is therefore flirting with Briatore.

Of course, in the background, there's the upcoming lawsuit that a former employee has brought against him for alleged misconduct. But if there's anyone who sees this not as an obstacle to functioning, it's Briatore - even if it turns out there was indeed something that was not permissible with the employee.

And Red Bull? There, peace would return somewhat if Horner were to leave. And peace is what's needed to build a car with which Max Verstappen can become world champion again.