The former Red Bull principal, Christian Horner, recently spoke regarding his potential return to F1. The former Red Bull team principal, who was forced out, made his first public remarks since leaving the Milton Keynes outfit.
Christian Horner Opens Up on ‘Unfinished Business’ After Red Bull Exit
Horner had been noticeably absent from the public eye since his last appearance at the Silverstone Grand Prix in July, where he was subsequently relieved of his duties and replaced by Laurent Mekies as team principal and CEO.
The statement of his return came through Flavio Briatore, the the facto team principal for Alpine. He recently confirmed Horner’s interest in acquiring a 24% stake in Alpine, currently held by Otro Capital, via his own investment consortium.
“I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula One. 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,” Horner said.
Speaking at the European Motor Show in Dublin, Horner stepped back into the media spotlight with candid reflections on his departure and future in the sport. But his words carried a clear message: any return would need to be on his terms.
The 52-year-old also made it clear that he will only come back if he feels the right opportunity has arrived.
“I don’t want to go back in the paddock unless I have something to do. I miss the sport, I miss the people, I miss the team that I built.”
He has spent decades in this sport and worked with the very best. So, Horner does not want to taint his legacy with a job that doesn’t feel right.
“I had 21 incredible years in Formula 1. I had a great run, won a lot of races, championships and worked with some amazing drivers, engineers and partners.”
Horner is also aware that he will be remembered as an F1 great if he decides to call it quits now. “I don’t need to go back. I could stop my career now. So I would only go back for the right opportunity to work with great people, and to work in an environment where people want to win, and they shared that desire,” he said.
For now, the Formula 1 world will have to wait. Horner sounds comfortable taking his time. He wants to weigh his options before making a decision.
