Christian Horner now free to discuss move to 102-race F1 team after escaping key Red Bull clause

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Christian Horner is searching for his next job in Formula 1 after being sacked by Red Bull on Wednesday.

The Milton Keynes outfit parted ways with Horner with immediate effect, following the team’s struggles in 2025. Red Bull are 288 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship at the halfway point of the season, with Max Verstappen ruling himself out of the title picture.

The defending four-time champion has been frustrated with the team’s technical department and lack of progress with the RB21. Verstappen pushed for Horner to be sacked as he demanded change internally.

He got his wish on Wednesday as the 51-year-old was relieved of his duties after 20 years at the helm. Damon Hill doubts whether Horner’s influence will be properly replaced, suggesting he is unconvinced that Laurent Mekies will deliver the ‘great new beginning’ that they hope to have.

Horner won eight drivers’ and six constructors’ titles with Red Bull as he guided the team to ultimate success. Unsurprisingly, he is not shy of suitors, and he could move sooner than many may expect.

Christian Horner free to discuss Alpine move after escaping gardening leave at Red Bull

A few teams up and down the paddock have already been interested in signing the Red Bull chief. Ferrari see a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to sign Horner, as Fred Vasseur faces pressure to keep his job as team principal.

Ferrari have been linked with Horner for some time, which he has denied, but the Maranello outfit are not the only team keeping tabs on him. Horner has been ‘flirting’ with Alpine as they search for their new team principal after Oliver Oakes’ departure in May.

Flavio Briatore messaged Horner after his Red Bull exit, with the Italian supposedly open to bringing his close friend on board with Alpine. In a report from F1-Insider, that could now be possible.

Horner is currently ‘on leave for the time being’ at Red Bull as he remains an employee. His contract runs until 2030, but the report claims that a ‘qualifying clause prohibiting him’ from joining rival teams is ‘no longer active’.

Effectively, Horner does not have to undertake gardening leave at Red Bull and is free to discuss terms with Alpine. It is similar to what Adrian Newey did before he joined Aston Martin, as his gardening leave was reduced, allowing him to start work in April.

READ MORE: Know all about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth to wife

Is Alpine the right move for Christian Horner amid the team’s uncertainty?

There is no denying that Alpine would be pulling off a major coup by signing Horner. The Enstone outfit are in desperate need of an experienced leader as they sit last in the constructors’ championship with just 11 points.

Alpine are also in need of stability, as they search for their fifth team principal since 2022. But Horner would be walking into what is arguably an even bigger mess than Red Bull are in.

The Enstone outfit are in turmoil after Luca de Meo resigned as Renault CEO. Alpine will become a Mercedes customer team in 2026 after shutting down their factory at Viry Chatillon; de Meo’s exit has put the team’s future in doubt.

There are concerns that Renault’s new CEO may not want Alpine in F1, prompting speculation of a possible sale. Otmar Szafnauer is ‘top of the list’ of potential buyers as he looks to get a 12th team on the grid after Cadillac’s arrival.

Hyundai could be brought to F1 by former Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul. While Renault have reiterated their commitment to motorsport to Alpine, the chaos surrounding the team, as well as their lack of performance, would make it a huge gamble for Horner to take.