Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has played down suggestions that the German manufacturer’s interest in Alpine is driven by rivalry with Christian Horner, instead framing the situation as a straightforward business evaluation.

Speculation has intensified in recent months after it emerged that Otro Capital could be willing to sell its 24 per cent stake in Alpine. The development has attracted attention from multiple parties, including Mercedes, while also fuelling rumours about a possible route back into Formula 1 for Horner.

The former Red Bull team principal, who left the team during the 2025 season, has been linked with several roles across the paddock. While early reports suggested potential opportunities at Aston Martin or Ferrari, more recent speculation has centred on Horner assembling a consortium to acquire a stake in Alpine.

Wolff, however, cast doubt on how straightforward such a return would be, pointing to Horner’s past conduct within the sport.

"Horner has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things ... but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best,” said Wolff, as quoted by Press Association agency.

At the same time, Mercedes has also been linked with a possible investment in Alpine, raising questions about whether the Silver Arrows could be attempting to block Horner’s path back to the grid.

Wolff firmly rejected that idea, stressing that any potential involvement from Mercedes is being assessed independently of personalities or rivalries.

"Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian. The idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not. We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven't come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense," Wolff concluded.