Christian Horner is officially back on the Formula 1 market. He formalised his lucrative departure from Red Bull this week.
Horner will be able to join a new team by the summer of 2026, and while there hasn’t been a formal approach yet, his CV means they’re inevitable. Over 20 years at Red Bull, he delivered a total of 14 championships.
But it’s not as if Horner could walk into any team on the grid. His occasionally abrasive leadership style has made him many enemies.
For instance, Horner repeatedly clashed with Zak Brown and Toto Wolff, with relations turning so sour that a move to McLaren or Mercedes simply isn’t realistic.
More pertinently, Horner fell out with Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull superstar Max. And that could cause him problems as he seeks a return to the grid.
Christian Horner joining Aston Martin is ‘impossible’ due to Max Verstappen interest
According to The Guardian, Horner’s relationship with the Verstappen camp completely broke down before he was sacked. This was likely a contributing factor.
One report even claimed that Verstappen himself gave Red Bull an ultimatum, using the threat of leaving to force Horner out. But he’s since made it clear both in public and in private that this wasn’t the case.
Above all, it’s the ‘acrimony’ between Horner and Jos Verstappen that would preclude a reunion. And crucially, this could put off Aston Martin.
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Horner has been linked to Aston Martin, but Lawrence Stroll is determined to sign Verstappen. This is seen as a ‘major stumbling block’ for the former Red Bull boss.
It’s ‘impossible’ to imagine Verstappen joining Aston if Horner is there first. And Stroll is likely to prioritise the four-time world champion, particularly as he already has a star-studded leadership team including Andy Cowell, Enrico Cardile and Adrian Newey.
Could Christian Horner really work with Adrian Newey again?
Mercedes still appears a more likely destination for Verstappen should he leave Red Bull, though much will depend on where they stand after the regulation changes. If he elects to resist Stroll’s advances, then the move could be back on for Horner, assuming Newey doesn’t object.
There was tension between Newey and Horner in the months leading to the former’s resignation. But the feeling now is that they’ve moved on.
Even though they’re no longer colleagues, Newey and Horner have been to events together and met for dinner. Their relationship transcends the bounds of Red Bull.
Indeed, Newey is the godfather to one of Horner’s children. One can see a scenario where the formidable partnership is reformed at Aston Martin.