Christian Horner could make a shock return to F1 paddock

Christian Horner could be about to make a shock return to the world of F1.

The former Oracle Red Bull Racing team principal is currently without a role in the world of Formula One.

But the controversy-stricken team principal has been linked to a fascinating move.

And it could mean a return to the F1 paddock.

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Christian Horner departure rocks motorsport

Christian Horner is no stranger to controversy.

The former Oracle Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO is more than used to the spotlight.

In fact, the British motorsport executive has been at the epicenter of one of Formula 1’s biggest sagas in recent years.

Back on July 9, Horner was sacked from the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team.

Horner’s departure marked the end of an incredibly successful era for Red Bull F1.

With Horner at the helm, Red Bull F1 won six World Constructions’ Championship titles between 2010 and 2025.

But a sexual harassment investigation rocked the F1 paddock back in 2024.

Horner was fully exonerated and cleared of all wrongdoing by internal Red Bull investigations.

But the scandal reportedly led to major ruptures and clashes within the Red Bull hierarchy.

There were reported clashes with Red Bull executives, as well as Jos Verstappen – father of reigning World Champion Max Verstappen.

An extremely poor first half of 2025 proved to be the breaking point.

And it led to the team principal being ousted from the team, almost exactly 20 years after taking the role in 2005.

Various reports suggested that Horner received a $53m severance payment as part of his exit from the team, but this wasn’t confirmed.

Could he make a shock return?

Since his departure, rumors have suggested Christian Horner wanted to make a return to the F1 paddock.

And earlier this year, reports suggested that Horner could make a move to Ferrari.

And Ferrari chairman John Elkann is reportedly a big fan of Horner.

But such a move never materialised.

But now reports are now pointing to a potential move to the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.

Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell is another figure reportedly under growing pressure.

According to the BBC, team owner Lawrence Stroll could be about to drop the axe on Cowell.

It comes amid reports of a falling-out between Cowell and Aston Martin’s managing technical partner Adrian Newey.

Now, Christian Horner is reportedly among the candidates to replace Cowell.

There is an elephant in the room

There is a massive elephant in the room with such a move, though.

And that elephant is the presence of Adrian Newey at Aston Martin.

Newey is an F1 legend in his own right, with the designer having won 12 constructors’ and 13 drivers’ world titles with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

Adrian Newey reportedly left Red Bull specifically due to a falling out with Horner.

Of course, appointing Horner as team principal would be controversial for Aston Martin.

This would be down to the history between Horner and Newey, as well as all-of-the-above controversy.

But Lawrence Stroll is said to only care about results.

He is especially reported to want a competitive car for his son, driver Lance Stroll.