Christian Horner confirms first 2026 plans amid F1 return hopes | F1 | Sport

Christian Horner’s first plans for 2026 have been confirmed, amid his ongoing push to find the right role which would allow him to return to the Formula 1 paddock. But he has already signed up for a public event before the new season even begins that will see the former Red Bull chief head to Ireland.

Horner, 51, has agreed to be a headline speaker at the European Motor Show, which is due to take place in the Irish capital Dublin at the end of January. He has been confirmed as the keynote speaker on the first day of the weekend-long event, on Saturday, January 31.

The former Red Bull team principal and chief executive will use his 20 years in charge of the team to “share insights from his record-breaking career and reflect on what is next for motorsport and mobility in a rapidly evolving landscape”. It is also set to be one his first major public appearances since sealing his departure from the team, after he was removed from his operational roles in July.

Horner said: “Ireland has a rich motorsport heritage and I am honoured to join the inaugural European Motor Show. I look forward to engaging discussions on the future of performance, innovation and the people driving change in our sport.”

Cowell said at the Marina Bay Circuit: “I had a chat with Lawrence to find out what he knows. It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment, so you can pass the question along. And I can clearly say, there are no plans for involvement, either in an operational or investment role in the future.”

Meanwhile, Williams team principal James Vowles said he would “welcome a conversation” with Horner, but made it clear he is not looking to make any changed to avoid the former Red Bull chief. He said: “There’s no point in closing the door, but we’re very happy with the structure we have, and it’s working. So I don’t see any reason to make any changes to that.”