Christian Horner backed for stronger F1 RETURN after Toto Wolff CL…read more
Christian Horner, the recently dismissed Formula 1 team principal of Red Bull Racing, is being strongly tipped for a powerful comeback in the sport—possibly in a position even more influential than before. His departure has not gone unnoticed, sparking widespread speculation about his next move in the racing world.
Red Bull made the surprising announcement that Horner had been removed from his position with immediate effect, despite his long-standing success with the team. The 51-year-old had led Red Bull to 14 championships over two decades, solidifying himself as one of the most successful team principals in modern F1 history. He was replaced by Laurent Mekies, the former Racing Bulls boss, and though Horner is no longer involved in daily operations, he reportedly remains on Red Bull’s payroll for now.
In a heartfelt speech to his colleagues at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes base, Horner expressed appreciation and hinted that his time in Formula 1 might not be over. His exit has left a void in the F1 paddock and triggered plenty of speculation about what he might do next.
According to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft—popularly known as “Crofty”—Horner could be considering a return to Formula 1 in a role that provides him with greater authority, possibly even team ownership. Croft pointed to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as a potential source of inspiration for Horner’s next move. Wolff, who joined Mercedes over a decade ago, has since acquired a one-third ownership stake in the team and now stands as the longest-serving team principal on the F1 grid following Horner’s departure.
Speaking on Sky F1, Croft said, “Christian looks at someone like Toto Wolff, who has built a successful empire within Formula 1, not just as a team leader but also as a stakeholder. I’m sure Christian sees himself as being on that same level. He likely has an envious eye on Wolff’s position and thinks, ‘That’s exactly where I should be.’”
This comment has further fueled speculation that Horner may not be content with simply returning to a traditional team principal role. Instead, he could be eyeing a future where he has more control and investment in a team’s operations, perhaps even co-owning a team as Wolff does.
Despite his enormous success at Red Bull, Horner never held any ownership share in the organization. Red Bull Racing has always remained under private ownership, divided between two main entities: 51 percent by Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya and 49 percent by Mark Mateschitz. The latter inherited his share following the death of his father, Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, in 2022.
This lack of ownership stake may now be motivating Horner to pursue a new chapter in his career where he can wield more lasting influence. While his leadership helped shape Red Bull into one of the most dominant forces in Formula 1, the absence of a personal stake in the team’s financial and strategic future may have become a sticking point—especially when compared to his rival Toto Wolff, who combines management authority with shareholder power.
With the 2025 F1 season underway and the competition heating up, Horner’s absence is already being felt. Still, insiders believe his return to the paddock is only a matter of time. Whether he joins an existing team in a new capacity or begins laying the foundation for his own F1 project, one thing is clear: Christian Horner has the experience, drive, and ambition to come back stronger than ever.
As the dust settles on his exit, the F1 world watches closely to see how and when one of its most influential figures will make his next move.
