Christian Horner could now make shock F1 move that seemed ‘unrealistic’ instead of joining Ferrari

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Red Bull may be staying tight-lipped about why they sacked Christian Horner, yet the Briton hitting the market is already generating interest elsewhere in the F1 paddock.

After 20 years in charge, Red Bull sacked Horner without telling him why he was being let go on Tuesday night. The news then emerged on Wednesday that the 51-year-old was removed from his operational duties as their F1 team principal and CEO, but he is still under contract.

Horner is now in talks with Red Bull over a severance package, as the Briton’s contract is not due to expire until after the 2030 F1 season. A likely outcome is that Horner will now remain on gardening leave until the end of 2025, before he then formally leaves Red Bull altogether.

Yet rival teams are already positioning themselves to potentially land the man who built Red Bull up from the ailing Jaguar outfit into six-time winners of the constructors’ title and eight-time winners of the F1 drivers’ championship. Horner also oversaw 124 Grand Prix victories.

Sacked Red Bull boss Christian Horner joining Cadillac seemed ‘unrealistic’ but is possible

It quickly emerged after Red Bull sacked their long-time boss and replaced him with Laurent Mekies that Ferrari feel they have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sign Horner. Questions still linger over what future Fred Vasseur has in Maranello with his contract expiring this season.

Yet Motorsport.com reports that Horner is not currently on Ferrari’s agenda and it adds that the Scuderia have not made any contact with the Briton since Red Bull sacked him. A switch to Alpine is also only hypothetical until the Renault Group hires an heir to CEO Luca de Meo.

READ MORE: All to know on sacked Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth

Instead, while a move by Cadillac to hire Horner ahead of the General Motors brand joining the F1 grid next year seemed ‘unrealistic’, it is now ‘not all that impossible’ that he heads up the American crew’s arrival in the paddock after Red Bull sacked the Leamington Spa native.

There are also many reasons why a move to Cadillac might appeal to Horner, with GM ready to deliver the funding required for an ‘ambitious’ project. GM has also already established a Formula 1 engine factory in Charlotte, North Carolina to deliver a works power unit by 2029.

Horner would also not need to relocate yet as the main Cadillac F1 factory is in Silverstone, where team principal Graeme Lowdon and engineering consultant Pat Symonds are hard at work preparing the team’s first Formula 1 car which will use a Ferrari power unit next year.

Cadillac already discussed hiring Christian Horner before he was sacked by Red Bull

Cadillac held behind-closed-doors talks about hiring Horner at Silverstone last week, having used the British Grand Prix as a chance to further refine their plans for the team’s debut. He is now free to join Cadillac, too, given Red Bull sacked Horner two days after the British GP.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

Lowdon and TWG CEO Dan Towriss visited the British GP largely to discuss the team’s driver line-up, with Cadillac yet to sign anyone to race for the GM brand next season. But Horner’s name was also on their agenda as Cadillac feel he is the ideal person to occupy a senior role.

That said, Motorsport.com notes the ‘most obvious possibility’ for Horner’s immediate next step is that he takes a break after 20 years with Red Bull. But few in F1 expect Horner will be happy to watch from the sidelines while serving his gardening leave given he was forced out.