Christian Horner breaks silence after Red Bull sacking as F1 return stance made clear
Christian Horner was sacked as Red Bull team principal before his official exit was agreed in September, but the 52-year-old has now broken his silence
Christian Horner left his position with Red Bull last September and could be eyeing a return to F!(Image: PA)
Christian Horner could make a Formula One comeback after admitting he feels he has some unfinished business in the sport.
Horner, aged 52, was given his marching orders as Red Bull team principal after July’s British Grand Prix, with his official departure finalised in September. During his two-decade-long stint with Red Bull, he presided over an era of remarkable triumph, clinching eight drivers’ and six constructors’ titles.
However, Red Bull’s decision to let him go came a year-and-a-half after he was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female colleague. Horner consistently refuted these allegations and was cleared for a second time of any controlling behaviour by an independent KC.
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Last week, Alpine confirmed that Horner is part of a consortium showing interest in investing in the team. Speaking out on Saturday at the European Motor Show in Dublin, Horner expressed: “I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula One.
“It didn’t finish the way that I would have liked it to finish. But I am not going to come back for just anything. I am only going to come back for something that can win.
“I don’t want to go back in the paddock unless I have something to do. I miss the sport, I miss the people, I miss the team that I built.
“I had 21 incredible years in Formula One. I had a great run, won a lot of races, championships and worked with some amazing drivers, engineers and partners.
“I don’t need to go back. I could stop my career now. So I would only go back for the right opportunity to work with great people, and to work in an environment where people want to win, and they shared that desire.
“I would want to be a partner, rather than just a hired hand, but we will see how it plays out. I am not in a rush. I don’t need to do anything.”
A Horner-fronted group has explored acquiring Otro Capital’s 24 per cent holding in Alpine – a squad that languished at the foot of the constructors’ table last season.
Horner has also been touted for potential switches to Aston Martin and Ferrari. He continued: “What has been fascinating is that I stepped out of Red Bull on July 8, and this is the first time I have actually spoken to anyone.
“(In the media) I think I have been going to every single Formula One team, which has ranged from the back of the grid, to the middle of the grid, and to the front of the grid. And there just seems to be an appetite as to: ‘What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?'”
“The reality is that until the spring I can’t do anything anyway. It is very flattering to keep being associated with all of these different teams.”
Alpine will receive power from Mercedes engines starting this campaign through to at least the close of 2030.
Horner’s erstwhile adversary, Toto Wolff, serves as chief executive and part-owner of the Mercedes outfit.
Nevertheless, Horner remarked: “A lot of people made a lot out of the rivalry I had with him.
“I have a huge amount of respect for him. He has been tremendously successful. He has won a huge amount. He is very bright.
“We are just different people, equally competitive, just different. And sport is boring if everybody is friendly and loves each other.
“You have got to have a rivalry that will create a real interest. The worst thing is if everyone is too nicey-nicey and chummy.”
