Overview

• Flavio Briatore said Christian Horner is not being considered at Alpine "for the moment" and noted the former Red Bull chief is not in Formula 1 right now.
• Paddock chatter about a Horner–Flavio Briatore–Bernie Ecclestone buy‑in persisted, with Toto Wolff joking it would be a "mafia reunion," but Briatore dismissed the idea.
• Horner was sacked by Red Bull in July and has no announced role elsewhere, and Cadillac has publicly shut down talk of involving him.
• Briatore acknowledged Alpine erred by rushing Franco Colapinto into a race seat and by neglecting 2025 development, with the team switching to Mercedes power units in 2026.
• Operationally, Steve Nielsen will take over as managing director from Monza, and Briatore said talks with Valtteri Bottas were never serious for a drive and effectively helped his Cadillac deal.