Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell says they have “no plans” to bring former Red Bull chief Christian Horner on board.
Horner’s future, and where on the grid he might return in F1, has intensified since the 51-year-old’s official departure from Red Bull was last week announced after agreement on the terms of his exit after 20 years in charge.
Sky Sports understands Horner, who was removed from his dual Red Bull Racing role of team principal and chief executive in July, took a reduced pay-out in the region of £75m to ensure he will be allowed to return to the sport in 2026.
Speaking on Thursday in Singapore, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said Horner had “approached us” and “one of our guys had an exploratory talk” but added: “Nothing has gone any further. It is finished.”
Horner has also been linked with Aston Martin and, asked in Friday’s team bosses’ press conferences if they had been approached, Cowell said he had spoken to team owner Lawrence Stroll about the situation.
“Had a chat with Lawrence this morning to find out what he knows,” said Cowell.
“It looks as though Christian’s ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment, so you can pass the question along.”
Cowell, whose Aston Martin team hired legendary technical chief Adrian Newey from Horner’s Red Bull last year, added: “I can clearly say there are no plans for involvement of Christian either in a operational or investment role in the future.”
Sky Sports News understands that while Horner is keen on returning to F1 in future as a stakeholder in a team, he has not sought a job with another outfit since leaving Red Bull.
Team boss? Stakeholder? New team owner? What’s going on with Horner’s F1 future plans?
Analysis from Sky Sports News reporter Craig Slater:
“I’ve been speaking to some people close to him and putting those Andy Cowell comments to them, and the response to me is Christian Horner is not looking for a job, he’s looking for a stake in a team and that’s his focus right now.
“They’ve explained to me there was an intermediary that set up the meeting between Horner and Haas, so it wasn’t something Horner sought to set up himself.
“In terms of Aston Martin, Horner is a personal friend of owner Lawrence Stroll and I understand he was a guest at Stroll’s house in the aftermath of his departure from Red Bull. It doesn’t look like that will come to anything.
“Horner is having rounds of meetings with significant business groups – global banks, sovereign wealth funds and individuals of significant personal wealth.
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Sky Sports’ Craig Slater takes a look back at Christian Horner’s 20-year run as Red Bull CEO and team principal.
“It’s the business side of his F1 return that he’s looking at to see what’s the best commercial platform he can put together or be part of which will enable him to rejoin the fray, not just as a team principal, but a co-owner.
“It has been explained to me there’s no shortage of big business partners potentially to associate themselves with Horner. The question is will it mean trying to buy a team, or maybe starting a 12th team which would be a cheaper option and difficult to maybe get through with the FIA and F1 but a way to absolutely put himself in control of his own F1 destiny.
“It will be some weeks and months before we get further clarity on the precise means with which Horner can come back to F1. At the moment, he’s focused on the money side of things and getting the right business platform in place to be a big player in the sport, not just an employee.”
What have other teams said about Horner?
The two team chiefs alongside Cowell in Friday’s press conference – Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen and Williams team principal James Vowles – were also asked if their outfits had spoken with Horner.
In terms of Renault-owned Alpine, where Horner’s long-time friend Flavio Briatore is executive advisor, Nielsen said: “As far as I know, no [Horner has not been in touch] but Flavio and Christian are old friends.
“That’s no secret. What they’ve talked about, I don’t know, but everything I see and everything I know, there’s no truth in Christian coming to Alpine, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
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Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater provides the latest update on former Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner’s exit package and if he could return to F1
Williams’ Vowles also said there had been no contract with his squad.
Asked if he would welcome a conversation with the 14-time world title-winning boss in the future, Vowles said: “You should always welcome a conversation. There’s no point closing the door.
“But I think we are happy with the structure we have and it’s working. I don’t see any reason to make any changes to that.”
Sky Sports F1’s Singapore GP schedule
Saturday October 4
7.55am: F1 Academy Race 1
10.15am: Singapore Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
2pm: SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
4PM: Ted’s which notebooks
Sunday October 5
8.20am: F1 Academy Race 2
11.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: THE SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP reaction
4pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
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