Red Bull still hasn’t explained why they decided to sack Christian Horner, but it hasn’t taken long for other teams to take notice of his availability.
Horner was informed of his dismissal on Tuesday night after two decades with the team, without being given any reason. The following day, Red Bull confirmed that he had been removed from his roles as F1 team principal and CEO, though he remains under contract.
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Horner’s current deal runs until after the 2030 season, so the parties are now discussing a severance package. It’s likely he’ll spend 2025 on gardening leave before officially cutting ties with Red Bull.
Meanwhile, other teams aren’t wasting any time. Horner is the man who built Red Bull into a powerhouse, leading them to six constructors’ titles and eight drivers’ championships while overseeing 124 Grand Prix wins.
Where Christian Horner could be heading next
The obvious question now is where Horner goes next. Already there are suggestions that several teams are preparing approaches for when he becomes available again in early 2026 – if not sooner depending on how his exit negotiations unfold. Aston Martin has already been mentioned as a potential destination.
The project at Silverstone has major ambition behind it and they may see an opportunity to bring in someone with proven success at the very top level. While nothing concrete will happen until Horner is formally free of his Red Bull ties, don’t be surprised if moves start happening well before then.
Christian Horner could be an option for Cadillac after Red Bull exit, despite early doubts
After Red Bull let go of their long-serving boss and brought in Laurent Mekies, there was immediate speculation that Ferrari might look to take advantage of the opportunity. The future of Fred Vasseur is still up in the air, especially with his contract set to run out at the end of the season.
However, according to Motorsport.com, Horner isn’t currently on Ferrari’s radar. The report also notes that Alpine won’t consider any move until Renault Group names a successor to CEO Luca de Meo.
Instead, while a move by Cadillac to hire Horner ahead of the General Motors brand joining the F1 grid next year seemed ‘unrealistic’, it is now ‘not all that impossible’ that he heads up the American crew’s arrival in the paddock after Red Bull sacked the Leamington Spa native.
There are also many reasons why a move to Cadillac might appeal to Horner, with GM ready to deliver the funding required for an ‘ambitious’ project. GM has also already established a Formula 1 engine factory in Charlotte, North Carolina to deliver a works power unit by 2029.
Horner wouldn’t need to make any big moves just yet either – Cadillac’s main F1 base is already set up in Silverstone. Team principal Graeme Lowdon and engineering consultant Pat Symonds are busy getting things ready for their debut season and will use Ferrari engines when they hit the grid next year.
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