Top candidates Christian Horner and Steve Nielsen decline Flavio Briatore’s Alpine F1 offer amid team principal search drama.
Things are moving quickly in the search for Alpine F1’s next team principal.
Following our report yesterday, two potential candidates have voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
After the sudden resignation of Oliver Oakes, some had linked longtime Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with a possible move to either Ferrari or Alpine F1.
Flavio Briatore is said to have recently approached Horner, with the two frequently seen together in the paddock—especially during the Monaco and Barcelona Grands Prix.
Despite his position having been weakened at Red Bull over the past 15 months, Horner has rejected the idea of switching teams, even in the long term.
“It’s always flattering to be linked with other teams,” said the Briton. “But I’m fully committed to Red Bull.”
“That has always been the case and certainly will be for the long term.”
Another name tied to Alpine F1’s leadership is Steve Nielsen, who has a long-standing relationship with interim team boss Flavio Briatore from their time together at Renault F1 in the 2000s.
Nielsen joined the FIA as Sporting Director in 2023 but resigned a year later, establishing a consultancy now working with F1 and affiliated companies.
The 60-year-old Briton was seen speaking with Briatore at the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where Briatore admitted he was “searching” for a full-time team principal.
However, Briatore’s attempts to lure Nielsen have failed. Sources close to the team claim that Steve Nielsen declined Briatore’s offer, preferring to continue his consultancy work in F1 rather than return to Enstone, where he spent nearly a decade.
Additionally, Nielsen recently relocated with his family and now resides in the south of France, with no plans to return to the UK anytime soon.
He was reportedly even offered the possibility of leading the team remotely from home, only travelling with them on race weekends. But aware that the role demands a 24/7 presence at the factory and trackside, Nielsen opted not to accept his former boss’s offer.
When asked about the situation, Nielsen confirmed, adding that it was “always nice to be approached.”
The new frontrunner for the role—likely on an interim basis—is Julian Rouse (pictured below), Alpine’s Sporting Director. Briatore may give him time to prove himself before resuming the search for someone with more extensive F1 experience.
