Christian Horner may not be finished with Formula 1 after all, with growing speculation suggesting the former Red Bull team boss could be preparing a sensational return through an ambitious new project involving Chinese automotive giant BYD.
Such a move could eventually see Formula 1 expand to 12 teams, just as the championship has already grown this season with Cadillac joining the grid. For now, the scenario remains speculative, but it is one that could become increasingly realistic over the coming years.
The brand being linked most strongly to this potential Formula 1 venture is BYD, the Chinese automotive powerhouse that has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s biggest car manufacturers, even overtaking Tesla in electric vehicle production. According to a report from British outlet PlanetF1, several indicators suggest there may be genuine substance behind the rumours.
One key factor is Christian Horner’s reported long-term ambition to become a team shareholder rather than returning solely as a team principal, the position he held for two decades at Red Bull. It is widely known that he explored the possibility of acquiring the 24% stake in Alpine currently being sold by American private equity firm Otro Capital.
Those shares have also attracted interest from Mercedes and Toto Wolff, but recent speculation suggests BYD may be considering the same investment opportunity. Back in late April, BYD executive vice president Stella Li publicly confirmed that Formula 1 is indeed being evaluated as a possible strategic move for the company.
“It is a possibility we are considering. It could be an excellent testing ground to further develop our technologies,” she said.
A possible new team instead of a minority investment?
However, BYD’s ambitions may go far beyond simply buying into an existing Formula 1 operation. The Chinese manufacturer could be seriously assessing the possibility of launching an entirely new team from scratch, which is where Christian Horner could become a crucial figure in the project.
The British executive was reportedly among BYD’s guests during gala events hosted by the company in Cannes alongside the ongoing film festival. Social media footage published by BYD showed Christian Horner clearly attending as a guest, further fuelling speculation over growing ties between the two sides.
According to the rumours, Stella Li and Christian Horner may have discussed a possible collaboration should BYD decide to make a full Formula 1 entry with its own team rather than investing in an existing one.
Would Formula 1 approve a 12th team?
Any further expansion of the Formula 1 grid would naturally require approval from both the FIA and Formula 1 management. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has repeatedly expressed openness to expanding the championship if the right manufacturer emerges, and he has previously made no secret of viewing BYD as a potentially attractive candidate.
Securing approval from Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali may prove more complicated. Domenicali has previously made clear that the championship would only consider exceptionally significant expansion proposals, warning that Formula 1 is already approaching its logistical limits.
Still, a manufacturer of BYD’s scale, financial power, and global strategic importance could be difficult for Formula 1 to ignore. Reports suggesting that preliminary discussions have already taken place between Stella Li and Stefano Domenicali only add further intrigue to the possibility.
As Formula 1 continues its global expansion, the idea of Christian Horner returning in a leadership role while helping bring one of the world’s most influential automotive companies into the sport could become one of the most fascinating long-term storylines in the paddock.
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