Christian Horner links raise concerns inside £1.6bn F1 team as owner steps in

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One F1 team owner has been forced to take action after being linked with Christian Horner, as the former Red Bull boss looks to return to the paddock.

The 51-year-old stepped down from his role in September, following an agreement with Red Bull over his severance package. Horner had already been removed from operational duties back in July, although talks continued given his contract was set to run through 2030.

Horner reportedly agreed to a reduced pay-off in the range of £52m to £80m, which also shortened his period of gardening leave. With the opportunity to return to F1 as soon as early 2026, he has begun reaching out across the paddock to see what might be available.

Lawrence Stroll has moved quickly to address Aston Martin staff concerns over Christian Horner links

According to Autosport Web, the only teams Horner hasn’t contacted about a possible F1 return are Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and the two Red Bull outfits. Every other team is reported to have turned him down.

His insistence on holding both CEO and team principal roles is said to be the main barrier. As a result, teams like Aston Martin, Alpine, Audi, Cadillac, Haas and Williams have shown no interest so far.

Despite Horner’s ability to attract sponsorships totalling nearly $100m (£74.5m), teams remain wary of giving him full control. He also has backers willing to invest in a minority stake at Aston Martin.

Reports that Horner could join Aston Martin during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend caused some unrest within the team. Lawrence Stroll stepped in quickly to calm any nerves.

Stroll asked CEO and team principal Andy Cowell to reassure staff that there are currently ‘no plans’ for Horner to join the £1.6bn-valued team and even spoke directly with others at the factory.

Horner’s route back to F1 may hinge on building his own team

Even with financial support, Christian Horner’s path back into Formula 1 isn’t straightforward. He has clear ambitions to take full control of a team, but that demand is proving to be a major roadblock. Lawrence Stroll isn’t the only influential figure in the paddock unwilling to give Horner the authority he wants.

During the Singapore Grand Prix, Ayao Komatsu confirmed that Horner had reached out to Haas about a potential role. However, reports indicate that Gene Haas has no interest in revisiting those discussions, with Komatsu reiterating that there are no plans for any changes at the top of the organisation.

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With existing teams showing little appetite for his return under such terms, starting his own entry might be Horner’s best route back into the sport. There have even been suggestions that early-stage conversations have begun about what it would take for him to form a new F1 operation.