Christian Horner, the former Red Bull team principal, has been actively seeking a return to Formula One, with Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell claiming Horner has contacted “pretty much every team owner”. Horner was dismissed by Red Bull in July and his settlement allows him to return early next year.
Cowell, who is also CEO of Aston Martin, dismissed any potential involvement. “It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment,” he said at the Singapore Grand Prix. “I can clearly say there are no plans for the involvement of Christian in an operational or investment role in the future.”
Horner’s tenure at Red Bull ended after a turbulent period that began when he was accused of “inappropriate behaviour” by a female colleague. He denied the allegations and was twice exonerated by an independent investigation.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu also confirmed Horner had approached his team. “It is true that he approached us,” Komatsu said. “One of our guys had an exploratory talk and that’s it. Nothing has gone any further. It is finished.”
In practice at the Marina Bay circuit, Fernando Alonso topped the first session, but McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was quickest in second practice. Lando Norris struggled, managing only fifth after front wing damage, and expressed frustration: “The car is not half a second off, my driving is.”
