Christian Horner and Bernie Ecclestone are both not a part of the current F1 setup. While the latter isn’t obviously going to return, the former has been linked to a wide range of teams after his unceremonious departure from Red Bull in 2025. 

Among those names were Haas, Audi, Aston Martin, Alpine, Cadillac, and even Ferrari. The last name is what Ecclestone felt Horner should have associated himself with.

“Christian's in a difficult position anyway," Ecclestone told Crash.net, assessing Horner's potential return. "Wherever he goes, if he doesn't succeed, people will say, 'Ah, Christian, you were very good when you were with Red Bull with big budgets and things like that, and that now you are not winning because of that', or something. So, it's difficult for him."

Ecclestone then shared how he had urged Horner to join Ferrari, adding:

"I speak to him quite a bit. Early on, I was trying to convince him to try and be at Ferrari."

When asked whether he actually expects the 52-year-old Briton to make a return with Ferrari, Ecclestone simply said, "(I) have no idea."

Following the end of his gardening leave, Christian Horner was reportedly interested in buying Otro Capital’s stake in Alpine, but Mercedes' rumoured interest was said to put him off.

Additionally, a BBC report says that Renault holds veto rights over the sale of Otro’s share till September, which it may have already used to block any interest from Horner.

Horner was also linked to a potential return to F1 via BYD, which has shown a keen desire to enter the sport as the 12th team. However, there have been no concrete updates on that front.

Ecclestone’s comments make it clear that the path will not be an easy one. As for the man himself, he does not want to rush things. 

Christian Horner: “I am only going to come back for something that can win”

A few months ago, Christian Horner was seen at the European Motor Show in Dublin. While speaking to the media, he said that he has "unfinished business" in the sport after his abrupt Red Bull exit.

However, he emphasized that he would not want to rush anything, as he wants a project that can deliver results.

“I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula 1," Horner said via GPblog. "It didn’t finish the way that I would have liked it to finish. But I am not going to come back for just anything. I am only going to come back for something that can win.” 

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has gone on record to say he wants to see Horner back in F1, while former driver Juan Pablo Montoya also felt people are quick to dismiss Horner and that he can deliver results.

Do you think we'll see the former Red Bull team principal back in F1? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Yash Kotak