Making his argument, Chandhok says it not only means Horner wouldn’t have to move his family to Italy, but he’s also good friends with Alpine executive director Flavio Briatore. “To me, I could see him landing at Alpine more than I could see him landing at Ferrari now,” said the former F1 driver.

Horner was relieved of his duties as Red Bull F1 CEO on Wednesday in a shock announcement. The 51-year-old won six constructors’ and eight drivers’ titles with the team but fell out with sections of senior management towards the end of his tenure.

Christian Horner has been tipped to join an F1 backmarker team rather than Ferrari following his shock dismissal by Red Bull after 20 years in charge of the team