Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has denied attempting to block Christian Horner from returning to Formula 1 but says his former rival could be facing "repercussions" for breaking "quite a lot of glass" during his time as Red Bull boss.
Horner was sacked from his positions as team principal and chief executive at Red Bull in July last year but has expressed an interest in returning to address what he has described as "unfinished business" in the sport.
A possible avenue back to the paddock for Horner appeared to be opening when the 52-year-old Brit's interest in buying the 24 per cent stake in Alpine owned by private investment firm Otro Capital was confirmed in January.
However, it has since been confirmed that Wolff and Mercedes are also interested in buying the available stake in Alpine.
Wolff told the Press Association: "He (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.
"Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian. And 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 and Horner became two of the biggest names in the sport as the rivalry between their teams - most notably when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fought for the 2021 drivers' title - captured the imagination of fans.
Horner had more recent success as Verstappen won four successive titles from 2021-2024, but the last 18 months of his tenure were clouded by accusations of controlling behaviour by a female colleague. Horner was twice cleared of the claims.
With Aston Martin appearing to favour Jonathan Wheatley, who previously worked under Horner at Red Bull, as their next team principal, there is currently not an obvious route back into the sort of position he would desire.
Wolff continued: "I am in two minds about it (Horner returning to F1). The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport.
"I said to (Ferrari team principal) Fred Vasseur that it needs 'the good, the bad, and the ugly'. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.
"Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don't think so.
"But even when I had the biggest frustration, and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend so there must be some goodness.
"If there wasn't that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have had hung with him over dinner and a had a laugh.
"Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them.
"I don't know if he is finding his way back, and in which function. I certainly don't wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit. There are not many team principals who have done what he has done.
"I see a situation that whatever happens, whatever outcomes there may be, whether he comes back to Formula 1 or not, I am at ease with it."
Formula 1 returns on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the season's second Sprint weekend, live on Your Site F1.
