It was at the European Motor Show in Berlin that Christian Horner reflected on his recent months, confirming his desire to return to a Formula 1 team. Formula 1 in the coming weeks. Boss of Red Bull The Briton, who had been in charge for twenty years, lost his position last summer, giving way to Frenchman Laurent Mekies, who now presides over the destinies of the Austrian team, world champion 14 times (eight times in drivers' championship, six times in constructors' championship).
Accused of "inappropriate behavior" in early 2024, the Briton was dismissed a year and a half later. He admits he didn't appreciate how the adventure ended, which is one of the main reasons why he wants to return to Formula 1 this season.
“I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula 1. It didn’t end the way I would have liked. But I won’t come back for just anything. I’ll only come back for something that can win. I don’t want to return to the paddock unless I have something to do. I miss the sport, I miss the people, I miss the team I built. I’ve had 21 incredible years in Formula 1. I’ve had a great career, I’ve won many races and championships, and I’ve worked with extraordinary drivers, engineers, and partners.”
Horner is playing it safe for now: “I don’t need to come back. I could end my career right now. So I would only return if the opportunity arose to work with great people, in an environment where people want to win and share that desire. I would like to be a partner rather than just an employee, but we’ll see how things develop. I’m in no hurry. I have nothing to do.”
While Otro Capital, which owns 24% of the stable ofenstoneChristian Horner, who clearly wants to sell his shares, is one of the names most frequently mentioned as a potential buyer. His name has also surfaced in rumors concerning... Classic Ferrari for sale et Aston Martin, but the 52-year-old former executive confirmed he could not take on any new responsibilities at the moment, probably due to a "gardening" clause in his agreement with Red Bull.
“What’s fascinating is that I left Red Bull on July 8th, and this is the first time I’ve spoken to anyone about it. If you listen to the media, you’d think I’d visited every Formula 1 team, whether they were at the back, in the middle, or at the front of the standings. And there seems to be a real interest in knowing: ‘What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?’ The truth is, I can’t do anything until the spring. I’m very flattered that all these teams continue to be interested in me.”
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
03/02/2026 at 07:14 a.m.
Opportunities for a return to F1 with such a pedigree/track record certainly exist, but when you add a mandatory period of rest and especially the desire to become a shareholder in a team while also being involved (a matter of ego compared to his best friend Toto?), the choice is extremely limited. Apart from Alpine (assuming Renault Group agrees... while the King of Cheaters is already in place) and Williams, no opportunity for Horner!
Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
01/02/2026 at 03:10 a.m.
Christian at AlpineHe's the right man to lead this team... But since he has time, opportunities will surely arise, perhaps at Ferrari? Or another team? alainkf1@pt.lu. 😎F1news😉