The reported contacts between Christian Horner and Haas will not lead to anything concrete, according to a former member of the American team. The former Red Bull team principal, it seems, is aiming for a more competitive and ambitious project.
Rumours, yes — but nothing more. Guenther Steiner has downplayed the speculation following the reported talks between Christian Horner and Haas. The former team boss does not see his old team in the future plans of the British manager. Horner’s intention to return to Formula 1 is no secret, and he has reportedly approached several teams in recent months. However, his goal is to join an organisation that can win immediately, or at least one with the potential to do so in the short term.
Christian Horner’s next destination will be one of the biggest questions of the upcoming winter. The British manager is one of the most respected and recognisable figures in the paddock, with well-known skills in team management and leadership. A personality like his can be as demanding as it is successful for any team with championship ambitions. Bringing him onboard requires room and resources, but it is a strategy that could pay off handsomely.
For weeks, his name has been linked to almost the entire grid: from Ferrari to Aston Martin, and from Williams to Alpine — all destinations with varying degrees of credibility. Reports confirming his direct contact with Haas and team principal Ayao Komatsu, along with his very generous Red Bull severance package, fuelled speculation that he might lead the American outfit. These rumours, however, have now been addressed by Guenther Steiner himself.
Steiner: “Horner wants to win — the rumours don’t always reflect the real story”
Speaking on The Red Flags podcast, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner offered his perspective: “We all know how much money Christian Horner has earned. First of all, I don’t think Haas could pay him that much. I wish they had paid me that kind of salary — mine wasn’t nearly as high!”
“Ayao Komatsu confirmed that there had been some contact, so I guess the story is true,” Guenther Steiner added. “But people need to understand that Horner is coming from Red Bull, the team with the largest infrastructure in Formula 1. He doesn’t want to return to the paddock just to take part. The rumours about Horner and Haas came up because someone talked to someone at Haas — and in this sport, that’s how it goes. You talk to someone about something, and suddenly it becomes news.”
Among the various possibilities available to Christian Horner, the most realistic path still seems to be Alpine — particularly given his strong friendship and past working relationship with Flavio Briatore.
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