Christian Horner not expected to join Aston Martin ‘in a million years’ for very ‘awkward’ reason

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Martin are the first team in the Formula 1 paddock to consider hiring Christian Horner since he was sacked by Red Bull Racing.

Christian Horner will be watching what’s happening during the 2025 F1 season with plenty of intrigue and wondering what his most likely avenue back into the sport is going to be.

Horner was CEO and team principal at Red Bull, and also held a leadership role at the newly-created Red Bull Powertrains project with the team’s in-house engine set to make its debut in 2026.

Now, the 52-year-old is aiming to return to Formula 1 in a team ownership position, with Horner linked with Alpine as they reportedly would consider a partial sale.

However, news that Aston Martin are considering moving Andy Cowell on from his role as team principal has led to Horner being mentioned as a potential replacement.

Adrian Newey is open to a reunion with Horner, but journalists Ben Hunt and Rebecca Clancy have explained why they don’t think he’ll join Aston Martin ‘in a million years’.

READ MORE: Who is Christian Horner? All you need to know about Red Bull to net worth

Christian Horner told Lawrence Stroll’s would make Aston Martin move impossible

Hunt was asked on Inside the Piranha Club podcast about the rumours that suggest Horner could replace Cowell at Aston Martin. He said: “Well, I mean, look, these keep going round and round and round, but there’s no way in a million years that Christian Horner would want to work there because he would find it too uncomfortable.

“Or not uncomfortable, but Lawrence Stroll wouldn’t listen if Horner turns around and says, ‘Look, we’ve got to fire Lance [Stroll].’

“That’s going to be very awkward, isn’t it?”

Clancy replied: “Also, the Max Verstappen rumour. I think people have very short memories in Formula 1.”

Hunt continued: “I can’t see it happening, but then, you never know how it’s all going to play out.

“I think the relationship that Christian has with Adrian is still strong. I think they’re still close.

“I just can’t see him fitting into that organisation. Part of the reason he was unhappy with Red Bull was that Red Bull were trying to take control back, whereas he wanted it to be his team.

“He’s not going to have that freedom probably with Lawrence Stroll being there because he wants to control the team. It is his team, rightly so.

“So, there will be conflicts there, and I don’t think that would be the right choice.”

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Adrian Newey’s stance on Lance Stroll could win Christian Horner over at Aston Martin

If Horner and Lawrence Stroll were able to decide on a balance of power within the team, then a move would appear to be more feasible.

However, regardless of the work that Newey and his designers and engineers are doing behind the scenes ahead of 2026, question marks remain over whether they have the drivers to win a world championship.

Fernando Alonso is a two-time champion, but his most recent success came in 2006.

His teammate, Lance Stroll, is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula 1 history to never win a race.

Newey has been pleasantly surprised by Stroll after working together behind the scenes at Aston Martin.

Whether that would be enough for Horner to give him a chance is impossible to know, but if the Silverstone-based outfit are competitive next season, then Aston Martin’s pursuit of Charles Leclerc might quickly ramp up depending on Ferrari’s situation.