Christian Horner no longer at Red Bull: now he dreams of an F1 return as team owner – but can he really follow Toto Wolff’s path?
Christian Horner is no longer the Team Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Red Bull Racing, ending an era that began with the Austrian team’s debut in the Formula 1 World Championship back in 2005. As of July 9, 2025, the British manager has officially stepped down, passing the torch of the sport’s longest-serving team principal to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Team Principal and shareholder Toto Wolff. The sudden news has shaken the Formula 1 paddock and opened up a series of questions regarding Horner’s next steps in the world of motorsport.
Speculation about Christian Horner’s future in Formula 1 has already begun. British commentator David Croft, speaking on Sky Sports News, suggested that Horner might return to the championship—but not in the role of a hired executive. Instead, Croft believes the Englishman may aim for a much more ambitious comeback: as an owner or shareholder of a Formula 1 team, following the same path that Toto Wolff took with the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team.
Alpine as a potential destination, but challenges lie ahead
David Croft explained the potential scenario, saying: “Christian looks at Toto and sees someone who, within the same timeframe, managed to acquire a one-third ownership in a Formula 1 team. I’m sure Horner is thinking: ‘I should be there too. I’ve earned that kind of stature in the sport.’”
Rumors in the paddock suggest that the French team Alpine could be a potential destination for a future investment by Horner. Alpine, which has struggled in recent seasons, is currently undergoing a significant restructuring phase. The team has already welcomed several high-profile investors in recent years, including Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and actor Michael B. Jordan. However, the presence of such influential figures may pose additional obstacles for Horner, should he wish to become a shareholder or take on an executive role within the Enstone-based squad.
Croft cautioned, “It’s far from guaranteed that Christian Horner will be able to join Alpine. And then there’s the question of funding. While he’s undoubtedly a wealthy individual, he does not possess the same financial muscle as Toto Wolff.” Even with the reported £50 million severance package paid by Red Bull, acquiring a substantial stake in a Formula 1 team would require an investment running into the hundreds of millions of pounds.
Could Horner join Ferrari? “Too early to jump from the frying pan into the fire”
The idea of Christian Horner joining Scuderia Ferrari in the immediate future has already been dismissed. According to Croft, this would be “a bad idea at this point in time,” especially considering the abrupt nature of his exit from Red Bull and the ongoing turbulence within the Ferrari organization. The Maranello-based team is still in a delicate phase of internal transition, and bringing in Horner so soon after his departure from Red Bull would likely add to the instability rather than resolve it.
Therefore, in the short term, Christian Horner’s future in Formula 1 may not involve a direct return to the paddock. Instead, the former Red Bull Racing boss is expected to take some time away from the sport. “He’ll take a break,” Croft concluded, “but I imagine it won’t be long before we find ourselves outside the headquarters of a Formula 1 team saying: ‘Christian Horner is back in the game.’”
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