Report: Christian Horner could miss out on joining Aston Martin as Adrian Newey contract ‘clause’ emerges

Christian Horner can return to the Formula 1 paddock next season, but might not be heading to Aston Martin.

There will be 11 teams on the grid next season with the arrival of Cadillac, but it’s not yet known where Christian Horner will appear next after his Red Bull exit.

Horner has now agreed on a severance package with Red Bull after he was relieved of his team principal duties following the British Grand Prix.

It’s believed that Horner can start working in Formula 1 again during the spring of 2026, after he sacrificed some of his payoff to shorten his gardening leave.

However, despite his keenness to return to the grid, it’s not yet known where he might end up.

Haas have been linked with Horner, as he looks for a way to invest in a team to take on a part-ownership role.

There have also been suggestions that Horner only wants to return with Alpine, as he has a good relationship with Flavio Briatore, and while Renault have doubled down on their commitment to Formula 1, another poor showing next year might convince them to start listening to offers.

Aston Martin is another option that makes sense on paper for Horner.

It would mean not having to relocate, and current team principal Andy Cowell also occupies the CEO role, something that could theoretically be split up to offer Horner a path into the team.

However, there are ‘suggestions’ that Adrian Newey could play a role in whether or not Aston Martin move ahead with any deal to bring his former boss back into the paddock.

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Adrian Newey could have Aston Martin contract clause that would ‘bar hiring’ Christian Horner

A report from UOL has provided more details on where Horner could end up if and when he returns to Formula 1.

It suggests that Alpine is the ‘obvious answer’, especially considering that the Anglo-French team have gone through so many team principals in recent years and Horner would represent some long-term stability.

Alpine have still yet to decide their 2026 driver line-up, and sit at the bottom of the constructors’ championship with no sign that things will improve going forward, even if they have Mercedes power units locked in for next year.

Cadillac have ruled out a move for Horner ahead of their F1 debut, with General Motors unlikely to accept outside investment and Graeme Lowdon preparing to start as team principal.

A 12th F1 team has been mooted, and Horner could get involved in a project like that, but that feels too far away from realistically happening to be an option at this stage.

Aston Martin boss Lawrence Stroll is ‘always wanting to attract the best’, which could include a move for his former Red Bull rival.

However, the report suggests that ‘speculation’ about Newey’s contract at Aston Martin means he could ‘bar hiring’ Horner if he wished.

Newey believed Horner didn’t give him full credit for his work at Red Bull before quitting the team last.

Horner has a good relationship with Newey now, but whether they want to work together is a different matter.

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Aston Martin’s 2027 driver line-up would be one of Christian Horner’s first jobs

Horner has spent decades trying to decide which drivers to sign for Red Bull, with finding the right teammate for Max Verstappen proving to be particularly difficult.

If he did join Aston Martin next year, there’s a chance he would have to deal with the imminent retirement of Fernando Alonso.

Alonso would be hard to replace, and Lance Stroll has the backing of his father at the team without ever showing the potential to become a Formula 1 world champion.

It’s believed that Alonso would like Gabriel Bortoleto to replace him, but whether that fits in with Aston Martin’s plans is yet to be seen.