Jenson Button issues ‘wow’ verdict as Christian Horner to Aston Martin rumours pick up speed

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Aston Martin have emerged as the frontrunners to secure the services of Christian Horner following confirmation of his exit from Red Bull last week, and Jenson Button has offered his opinion on the former team principal’s possible return to F1 with the Silverstone-based team.

The long-serving team principal was relieved of his duties as the head of Red Bull Racing after the British Grand Prix earlier this season. It marked the end of a 20-year partnership with the team that Horner built from day one.

He has been linked with potential roles at Alpine and Haas, but Aston Martin looks like the most likely team to sign Horner after reports of negotiations starting between the 51-year-old and Lawrence Stroll.

The owner of Aston Martin is reportedly looking for investors, which is exactly what Horner is interested in as he deliberates over his next move in the sport.

Horner received a payout of around £80m in his exit deal and is looking to stake it into a team to ensure his departure from Red Bull can’t be replicated.

READ MORE: Christian Horner learns how much money he would have to pay rivals to set up a brand new F1 team

Jenson Button would be “surprised” to see Christian Horner lead Aston Martin in the future

Andy Cowell assumed the role of team principal at the start of 2025, following the demotion of his predecessor, Mike Krack, to chief trackside officer.

Amid the rumours linking Horner to a role at Aston Martin, Sky’s Ted Kravitz asked Cowell about them, referencing that “it sounds like he’s trying to steal your job”.

Cowell dismissed the rumours, stating, “Lawrence has been quite clear that he’s happy with the team of people that he’s got.”

Former F1 driver Jenson Button reacted to the clip ahead of FP2 at the Singapore Grand Prix, to which the 2009 world champion said, “I mean, wow. I would be surprised to see Christian at Aston Martin, personally.

“And it’s quite a tricky question to ask a team principal, ‘Do you think you’re going to lose your job to Christian Horner?’ But I thought he handled it pretty well.”

After Haas turned him down and Alpine not in the best place to accommodate Horner, Aston Martin could be the only option for the former Red Bull man to lay his roots, much to Button’s dismay.

READ MORE: Christian Horner told Lawrence Stroll’s stance on selling a stake in Aston Martin amid comeback rumours

Jenson Button thinks Christian Horner would be “very useful” for any team in Formula 1

After expressing his doubts over seeing the 51-year-old return to the paddock adorned in the racing green colours, Button highlighted how “useful” Horner could be to every team on the grid.

In a conversation about the possibility of Horner fielding his own team as a 12th entry to the pit lane, even after his previous concerns over increasing the size of the grid, Button chimed in with, “Exactly, it’s amazing how quickly that can turn around, right?

“But he comes with a lot of experience. He’s worked with the best teams in the business. I mean, the run he’s had at Red Bull is very impressive. So, he’s going to be very useful, I think, for any team in the sport.”

It is yet to be known how Horner will make his return to the grid, with his intent to come back being the only certain factor.

It will be fascinating to see where the British executive ends up once he puts pen to paper in what will be a highly anticipated return to action.