Christian Horner is officially allowed to work again in Formula 1. The non-compete clause after his dismissal from Red Bull expired last week, reigniting speculation about a possible comeback. Horner was fired last year, the day after the British GP, following a series of disappointing results. In the meantime, the Brit has already been linked to several F1 teams, although an official return is still awaited.
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With six constructor titles and eight driver championships, Horner has built an impressive track record. Together with Toto Wolff, he is considered one of the most successful F1 team principals of the past decades. Yet, he was abruptly sidelined in 2025. Red Bull had a disappointing start to the season and, moreover, a painful power struggle was raging behind the scenes. Additionally, Horner became an increasingly controversial figure, partly due to allegations of misconduct within the team. He was later acquitted of these charges.
In recent months, Horner has been linked to several projects both inside and outside Formula 1. Alpine senior advisor Flavio Briatore confirmed during the season launch that the Brit is one of the interested parties in a minority stake in the French racing team. This would not only allow him to become team principal but also to acquire a strong power position within an established F1 team. Furthermore, there were rumors about possible collaborations with Aston Martin and even Ferrari. After a visit to the MotoGP race at the Circuito de Jerez, he was also linked to a top position within motorsport.
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‘We miss him’
“For now, I am still on leave and in no hurry,” he said in Spain. “When that period is over, we’ll see what happens.” Earlier, Horner had already openly flirted with an F1 return. “It didn’t end the way I wanted,” he explained during the European Motor Show in Dublin. “But I will only come back if I can work with great people, in an environment where everyone wants to win.” Support for the Brit’s comeback also comes from the paddock. “His track record speaks for itself,” said Zak Brown during a McLaren press conference. “I would be shocked if he doesn’t return to the sport.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added to this during the race weekend in Miami. “If you ask me, we miss him in this sport, and personally, I really miss him,” said the Emirati. “He was good for the team and good for the sport. Fortunately, someone like him always finds his way back. And he really wants to come back,” Sulayem emphasized. “I speak to him regularly and I have the feeling he will return. Once he’s back, it will be as if he never left.”
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