Christian Horner Announces Australian Speaking Tour Ahead of 2026 F1 Season
Christian Horner, the former Red Bull Formula 1 team principal, has unveiled plans for a three-day speaking tour in Australia just before the start of the 2026 F1 championship. The tour, branded as "A special evening with Christian Horner", will see the British executive share insights from his two-decade career in the sport, which ended abruptly last summer.
Details of the Australian Speaking Engagement
The speaking tour is scheduled to take place across three major Australian cities:
- Melbourne on 24 February
- Sydney on 26 February
- Perth on 2 March
Tickets for the events will go on sale from next Tuesday, offering fans an opportunity to hear Horner reflect on his time in what he describes as the "unforgiving and all-encompassing" world of Formula 1. It remains uncertain whether Horner will attend the season-opening race in Australia on 8 March in person.
Horner's Potential Return to Formula 1 Paddock
Horner, who received a reported £80 million pay-off following his departure from Red Bull, is now eligible to return to the sport from this spring. The 52-year-old has been linked with several teams, with French outfit Alpine emerging as the most likely destination. This connection is strengthened by Alpine's proximity to Horner's Oxfordshire home and the leadership of his close friend, Flavio Briatore.
Other teams reportedly interested in Horner's services include Haas, Ferrari, and Aston Martin. However, respected F1 pundit Martin Brundle has highlighted a significant condition for Horner's return. Brundle, a close confidante of Horner, revealed that the former team principal is only interested in returning if he can secure a shareholding in a team, rather than taking a managerial role as he did at Red Bull.
The Context of Horner's Red Bull Departure
Horner's exit from Red Bull came after 20 years at the helm, during which he oversaw the team's rise from its inception to multiple championship victories. His departure followed a power struggle within the organisation, where he ultimately lost support from Red Bull shareholders and key figures in star driver Max Verstappen's camp, notably highlighted by a public falling out with Verstappen's father, Jos, in 2024.
Brundle has also pointed to potential hurdles for Horner's return, noting that existing F1 teams may resist the addition of a 12th team while they navigate the complexities of the 2026 regulations. Despite these challenges, Horner's passion for the sport remains undiminished, with Brundle stating, "Formula 1 is his life – that's where his skills and experience lie."
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
As the 2026 F1 season approaches, Horner's speaking tour represents a significant moment of reflection and potential transition. The tour will allow him to "unpack my career so far and provide insights and perspectives on the cusp of another exciting F1 championship," as Horner himself explained.
With his marriage to Geri Halliwell and his substantial financial settlement from Red Bull, Horner now stands at a crossroads, balancing personal reflection through public speaking with ambitious plans for a return to the competitive world of Formula 1 team ownership.
