Christian Horner announces shock F1 come back to join M…read more
Christian Horner has revealed an unexpected new venture as he waits for a potential return to Formula One, announcing a speaking tour of Australia that will see him reflect on his long and influential career in the sport.
The former Red Bull team principal, who was relieved of his duties in July 2025 after two decades at the helm, is set to take to the stage for a series of live shows titled “Life in Formula One… and Beyond.” The tour comes during a period of enforced downtime for Horner, who remains on gardening leave and is therefore unable to take up a role with another F1 team until late spring.
Horner’s departure from Red Bull marked the end of one of the most successful partnerships in modern Formula One history. During his 20-year tenure, Red Bull evolved from a midfield outfit into a dominant force, securing multiple world championships and redefining how teams approached long-term development, driver management, and race-day strategy. His dismissal sent shockwaves through the paddock and immediately sparked speculation about whether — and where — he might resurface in the sport.
For now, however, Horner’s focus appears to be elsewhere. With his gardening leave preventing an immediate return to grand prix racing, the 51-year-old has opted to use the time to engage directly with fans, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and insights from his career. The Australian tour will see him perform three shows across the country, starting in Melbourne on February 24, followed by Sydney on February 26, and concluding in Perth on March 2.
The timing of the tour is particularly notable. Horner’s final appearance in Perth coincides with the week of the Australian Grand Prix, which opens the 2026 Formula One season back in Melbourne. While he will not be present in an official team capacity, his proximity to the paddock during one of the sport’s biggest weekends is likely to reignite speculation about his next move.
Although Horner is believed to be keen on making a return to Formula One, any comeback would realistically have to wait until after the start of the 2026 season due to the restrictions of his gardening leave. Despite this, his experience and track record mean he is expected to remain an attractive option for teams seeking leadership at the highest level, whether in a team principal role or a broader management position.
The stage shows are expected to cover Horner’s journey through Formula One, from his early days as one of the youngest team principals in the sport’s history to overseeing championship-winning campaigns and managing some of F1’s biggest personalities. The “and beyond” element of the tour’s title has also raised eyebrows, hinting that Horner may address his Red Bull exit, the challenges of life away from the pit wall, and his thoughts on what could come next.
For Australian fans, the tour offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the most influential figures of the modern era, at a time when Formula One is undergoing significant change ahead of the 2026 regulation overhaul. For Horner himself, it represents both a chance to stay connected to the sport and to reshape his public narrative while his future remains undecided.
Whether the tour is simply a temporary project or a strategic pause before a high-profile return to Formula One remains to be seen. What is clear, though, is that Christian Horner is not stepping away quietly — and his presence in Australia is likely to keep his name firmly in the F1 conversation as the new season gets underway.
