Christian Horner is stepping up his F1 comeback plans.

Christian Horner is targeting a stake in Alpine (Image: Getty)

Christian Horner has been pictured meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem for “a chat between friends” as the former Red Bull team principal continues to chase a return to the F1 paddock with Alpine.

The former Red Bull team principal has been eyeing a route back into the F1 paddock but only wishes to return if he can do so with an ownership stake in a team, similar to long-time rival and Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff.

Alpine now present Horner with such an opportunity. Otro Capital, which has a raft of celebrity investors including Ryan Reynolds, Anthony Joshua and Rory McIlroy, is looking to offload its 24 per cent stake in the F1 operation, and the former Red Bull boss is interested.

Amid reported ongoing talks, Horner made a trip to the FIA’s offices in Paris to pay a visit to recently reelected president Ben Sulayem. “Wonderful to welcome Christian Horner to the FIA Paris offices today,” the FIA chief wrote in an Instagram post. “Good to see you my friend.”

Horner’s interest was addressed by de facto team principal Flavio Briatore ahead of pre-season testing. “Otro wants to sell the participation in Alpine,” he said in Montmelo. “It’s a few groups interested. For the moment, this is the situation.

“I’ve known Christian for many years, I talk with Christian anyway, but this has nothing to do with me. First, you need to buy Otro, and after Renault needs to accept the buyer, and after we see what happens. But it has no link with me because he is negotiating with Otro, not negotiating with us.”

Horner met with Mohammed Ben Sulayem in Paris (Image: Getty)

An Alpine statement confirmed interest in Otro Capital’s stake, declaring that it is “no secret” that the group had held “preliminary talks” to sell its stake in the F1 squad.

The statement continued: “With the continued rapid growth of Formula 1, the valuation of the teams has been increasing and, not surprisingly, has led to multiple interested parties looking to enter the sport.

“The team is regularly approached and contacted from potential investors, particularly given Otro Capital declared exploratory talks have taken place. Any approaches or discussions are with existing shareholders, Otro Capital (24%) and Renault Group (76%), not directly with (executive adviser and de facto team boss) Flavio Briatore or the team.”

In the meantime, Alpine are carrying out their pre-season testing programme at the shakedown test in Barcelona. Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly will both drive the A526, which has a Mercedes power unit in the back for the first time.