Former Red Bull boss Horner plans a return to F1 in 2026: teams named.

Christian Horner's Return to Formula 1

According to The Sun: Christian Horner is already thinking about a return to Formula 1 in 2026.

The 51-year-old manager received a significant compensation of £80 million for his dismissal from Red Bull Racing.

Getty

Horner was dismissed from his team manager role after a poor performance at the British Grand Prix in July.

He was the longest-serving team principal in Formula 1 history, leading the team for 20 years and winning eight drivers' titles and six constructors' cups.

According to the Daily Mail, Horner already misses the sport and is eager to return to life in the fast lane.

His payout was actually less than the £110 million stipulated in his contract until 2030.

According to SunSport, this means he could return to Formula 1 as early as the spring of 2026.

After receiving the payout, part of which risks being lost due to taxes, Horner plans to explore opportunities to join a new team as a co-owner.

Rumors in the paddock suggest that Horner wants to secure a 'stake in a team' that would allow him to make key decisions, rather than just being a team principal.

His friendship with Alpine chief Flavio Briatore has sparked rumors of a potential collaboration with the French team.

Briatore has denied any chances of this happening soon, stating:

“At the moment, I am not considering anything. Horner is no longer in Formula 1. I hope he returns soon, but for now, he is not part of Alpine.”

Additionally, the American team Haas is also on Horner's radar as a potential workplace.

Gene Haas, the current team owner, is not keen on investing heavily in the team, which debuted in 2016.

It is also reported that Bernie Ecclestone has offered Horner the chance to switch from four wheels to two, becoming the new head of motorcycle racing.

It is noteworthy that the motorcycle racing series was also acquired by Liberty Media, which controls Formula 1, for an astonishing £3.6 billion.

However, the glamour and luxury of the most prestigious motorsport format may prove too tempting for Horner to turn away from.

Sources close to Horner noted:

“He doesn't have time to think directly about his next step. He wants to return to the Formula 1 paddock but wants to evaluate the best way to do it. He will do this. He is a workaholic, so sitting idle is not something he would choose.”

Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was promoted from the sister team Racing Bulls without an official reason. In recent races, Max Verstappen won both the Italian Grand Prix and Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Christian Horner, known for his long career in Formula 1, is interested in returning to motorsport. His previous achievements as the team principal of Red Bull Racing, where he won numerous titles, highlight his experience. So far, Horner is exploring various options in the paddock, and his next steps could significantly impact the future of Formula 1, especially considering changes in team lineups.