CHRISTIAN HORNER has been talking to “every team owner” in Formula One as he ramps up his efforts to return in 2026.
Horner, 51, was sacked as team principal of Red Bull after 20 years in July before being given an £80million payout in his full exit from the organisation.
GettyA trio of F1 team bosses played down rumours of Christian Horner joining them[/caption]
APHorner is said to be calling ‘every team owner’ as he plots a 2026 return[/caption]
SunSport understands Horner will be able to return to F1 in the spring of 2026, when his gardening leave expires.
Horner wants to return to the motorsport in a capacity which would give him the ability to make executive decisions, likely in the form of buying into a team.
Talks were confirmed between Horner and Haas yesterday, but they would not be going any further.
But the former Red Bull boss has now suffered another major blow to his return plans after three more teams denied Horner would join them.
Speaking at the Singapore Grand Prix, Aston Martin’s team principal was the first to address the rumours.
He said: “Had a chat with Lawrence [Stroll], it looks as though Christian is ringing up every team owner at the moment.
“I can clearly say there are no plans for the involvement of Christian either in operational or investment role in the future.”
Alpine’s Steven Nielsen confirmed Horner had been in talks with controversial team figurehead Flavio Briatore, but had had no indication of Horner joining the French constructor.
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He said: “As far as I know, no. He and Flavio are old friends, what they’ve talked about I don’t know.
“No truth in Christian coming to Alpine but doesn’t mean it won’t happen, this is F1 after all.”
Briatore – a long-term friend of Horner – is seen as someone who could back a Horner bid into Alpine, whose parent company are Renault.
James Vowles, fresh off the back of celebrating a first podium as Williams team principal in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, did not shut the door on a potential approach from Horner, but said the team was happy the way it was at the moment.
He said: “Should always welcome a conversation, there’s no point closing the door.
“I think we are very happy with the structure we have and it’s working so I don’t see any reason to make any changes to that.”
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was the surprise pace setter in FP1, a full tenth of a second faster than Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
This weekend’s race was issued with a first ever “heat hazard” warning from the FIA, with temperatures set to climb as high as 31C.
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