Christian Horner breaks silence on F1 return after Red Bull sacking | F1 | Sport
Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner broke his silence in Dublin. (Image: PA)
Christian Horner has admitted he misses Formula One and believes he has unfinished business in the sport as he broke his silence for the first time since Red Bull axed him. The 52-year-old was relieved of his duties as Red Bull team principal after July’s British Grand Prix, with his formal departure finalised in September.
During his two-decade tenure with Red Bull, he presided over a remarkable era of dominance, securing eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ crowns. Nevertheless, Red Bull’s decision to terminate his contract came 18 months after allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague emerged.
Horner consistently denied these accusations and was cleared for a second time of controlling conduct by an independent KC.
Alpine announced last week that Horner features amongst a consortium considering an investment in the outfit.
Speaking publicly for the first time at the European Motor Show in Dublin, Horner revealed: “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-headed consortium has explored acquiring Otro Capital’s 24 per cent shareholding in Alpine, a squad which finished at the bottom of the constructors’ championship last season.
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Christian Horner was ousted as team principal after the British Grand Prix. (Image: PA)
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Horner has also been linked with potential moves to Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Horner 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 be supplied by Mercedes engines from this season until at least the conclusion of 2030.
Horner’s former adversary, Toto Wolff, serves as the CEO and co-owner of Mercedes.
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.”
