Andy Cowell suggests that Christian Horner is seeking a return to the F1 paddock as soon as possible.

Earlier this week the Aston Martin boss sought to dismiss speculation linking Horner with the Silverstone-based outfit, but has since revealed that the Briton has contacted team owner Lawrence Stroll.

"I had a chat with Lawrence this morning to find out what he knows," said Cowell. "It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment.

"I can clearly say there are no plans for involvement of Christian either in an operational or investment role in the future," he added.

Long before Horner was linked with Aston Martin there were media claims linking him with Alpine, indeed there was talking of him buying the French team in partnership with Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore.

"As far as I know, no," said MD Steve Nielsen, when asked if Horner had approached the Enstone-based outfit. "Flavio and Christian are old friends. That's no secret. What they've talked about, I don't know.

"Everything I see and everything I know, there's no truth in Christian coming to Alpine," he added. "That doesn't mean it won't happen. This is Formula 1 after all."

"I think you should always welcome a conversation," said Williams' James Vowles, when asked if the Grove outfit might be a suitable prospect for arguably one of the most successful team principals in the history of the sport. "There's no point in closing the door," he added. "But I think we are, not I think, we're very happy with the structure we have and it's working. So I don't see any reason to make any changes to that."