Horner, who led Red Bull to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, and Wolff endured a rivalry for much of the past decade.

In January Alpine said Horner was among “multiple interested parties” to have discussed investment with the team.

Wolff and Mercedes are also looking at buying private investment firm Otro Capital’s 24% shares in Alpine.

Wolff said there is “no connection” with Horner in regards that investment and it would be “quite sad” if that was a consideration.

“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,” Wolff said.

“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.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won four consecutive drivers’ titles from 2021 to 2024, ending Mercedes’ dominance with Lewis Hamilton, who was controversially denied five straight titles.

Horner, who has said he has “unfinished business” in F1, was last year overlooked to take over at Aston Martin.

“Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them,” Wolff said.

“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.”

There was considerable criticism of England’s apparent lack of preparation for the series in Australia, both before and during the tour, with particular focus and controversy around the four-day break in Noosa, Queensland after the first two Tests.

England said the break had been scheduled for more than a year but there were reports of players drinking excessively.

“If they had played those first two Shield games before the first two tests, then played the two Tests on the bounce, they actually needed a week off,” added Lehmann, who played five Tests against England during his playing career.

“They’re all adults so they should know where they stand and look after themselves. And they are a lot more professional than we were in our day so I don’t subscribe that they carried on too much.

“They’re not big drinkers and there’s nothing wrong with having a night out. I actually saw a couple of them for a coffee in Noosa and they were fine.

“It’s more about the preparation for the Ashes where they didn’t play any county cricket in the back end of the summer and then they played a one-day series before the Ashes where they could have played a extra first-class game and that’s probably where it’s gone wrong.

“They just need to be a bit more diligent in their preparation and what they’re trying to do and how they want to play.”

The Test summer on these shores starts with the visit of New Zealand for a three-match series on 4 June with three more Tests to come in a series with Pakistan in August and September.

Lehmann said he expects England to win both series, adding: “They’ll play exciting cricket.

“They’ll score quickly. The wickets will be flat. They’ll oscillate between the two styles.

“They played too aggressive in Australia. The problem is when the wicket does anything.

“They’ll rethink how they want to play in different stages, making sure they’re prepared as best they can.”

The four shields will be on display along with internationally significant archaeological discoveries from across Scotland, such as the Carnoustie Hoard – which includes a rare spearhead decorated with gold, and a bronze sword in a wooden scabbard, dating from around 1120-920 BC.