Christian Horner has reportedly drawn enough backing to buy any Formula 1 team on the grid. The former Red Bull team principal has wealthy backers prepared to help finance his comeback to the sport. However, the motorsport heavyweight has several options he could pursue as his next move, including a potential venture into MotoGP.
Horner's Legal Status and Ambitions
Horner, 52, will be legally free to work in an F1 paddock late next month under the terms of his £80 million settlement to depart Red Bull last year. It is understood he has no desire to return to a role similar to the one he held with Red Bull for 20 years. Instead, The Sunday Times has reported Horner could make his return in an ownership capacity and has supporters willing to back him financially. The key stumbling block is finding a team prepared to sell to a man who allegedly 'made enemies' throughout his F1 career to date.
Potential Teams and Valuations
Horner has been linked with virtually every team on the grid since his surprise exit from Milton Keynes last year. The most notable of those is the 24 per cent stake in Alpine that has been at the centre of a bidding war also involving Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. The most valuable teams in F1 are thought to be worth around £6.5 billion. The Sunday Times report suggested Horner's backers 'could afford' any outfit they choose, but the challenge lies in finding a team receptive to a sale.
MotoGP and Other Ventures
Horner was spotted at this weekend's MotoGP race in Jerez amid speculation he could invest in the world's top motorbike racing series. It is understood he was invited to Spain by F1 president Stefano Domenicali and Liberty Media, which acquired F1 back in 2017. Liberty purchased a controlling stake in MotoGP as part of a £3.11 billion deal last year. It is believed Horner is regarded as someone who can elevate the sport's worldwide profile and bring it to the mainstream audiences in the same way he helped do with F1.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has already made the switch to MotoGP. Following his departure from Haas at the close of 2023, the Drive to Survive fan favourite headed the consortium that snapped up the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team. The Sunday Times reported Horner has also been approached by Formula E and is due to hold talks with the bosses of the America's Cup, one of the world's most prestigious sailing competitions. However, an F1 return 'remains his priority.'
Impact of Horner's Departure on Red Bull
It could be seen as a testament to Horner's influence that Red Bull's fortunes have fallen so sharply since his departure from the outfit. Nevertheless, the exit of engineering legend Adrian Newey in 2024 is another significant factor widely attributed to that downturn. Meanwhile, Horner has been making the most of his time away from F1 and is unlikely to take on another team principal role as such responsibilities supposedly no longer appeal. Instead, his ambitions are set far higher, and he reportedly has the backing required to acquire a more substantial stake as a potential team owner.
