McLaren boss Zak Brown ‘hopes’ for Christian Horner’s return to the Formula 1 paddock

Follow us on Google Discover

Zak Brown has called the Formula 1 paddock a ‘nicer pit lane at the moment’ but has called for Christian Horner’s return.

During the 2025 Formula 1 season, Christian Horner and Red Bull Racing parted ways after a difficult start to the year, with Liam Lawson being dropped from the team and Max Verstappen’s title hopes vanishing.

Horner was successful in his 20 seasons with Red Bull Racing, as he was with the team for all of their eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships.

The British team principal has not returned to the Formula 1 paddock for the 2026 season, but there have been calls from members of the paddock for his return to the series.

Would you like to see Christian Horner revive his rivalry with Toto Wolff?

Horner could make his F1 comeback with Alpine, who will have Mercedes engines from 2026 to 2030

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

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

Zak Brown backs Christian Horner’s return to Formula 1

McLaren Racing’s chief executive officer, Zak Brown, has supported Horner’s return to the Formula 1 paddock in an interview on the MP Pod.

The American became one of Horner’s main rivals in his latter years in the paddock, and noted that the pit lane has become ‘a bit of a nicer place’ in recent years, but he does not believe the current atmosphere will last.

Brown said, “First of all, I think Christian will be back, I don’t think Helmut will be, I could be wrong. But I think Christian will be back; he will be in this year’s episodes. So, I think we will have a good Netflix show this year.

“I think the sport is a bit of a nicer pit lane at the moment, but that is probably temporary, let’s face it. If you look at the history of Formula 1 and the characters in Formula 1, no one should be too concerned that we are all going to become very boring, because that is not the culture of the sport.

“Red Bull made us a better racing team. I like the rivalry. We have different types of rivalries. I get along with Fred great, Toto great, and Jonathan Wheatley is probably the one I get along with most.

“We have a lot of respect for each other, and I think that is important. Jonathan and I are great friends, but we are competitive, so as long as we fight fairly, no problem.”

He later concluded, “Formula 1 always has great controversies, so I would not be too concerned, and I think he [Horner] will be back, and I hope he will be back.”

Prove me wrong: Christian Horner is the best person Alpine can hire in 2026

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Christian Horner has been linked with a role at Alpine

If Horner does make a comeback to Formula 1, Alpine have been named as one of the most likely landing spots for Horner.

It had been suggested ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season that Horner could become a majority owner of Alpine, securing a route back into the sport.

However, complications arose with any potential deal between Horner and Alpine, as the 52-year-old wants a controlling share in any team with which he becomes involved in the sport.

It became clear that Renault were not able to give an answer to Horner regarding whether they were willing to sell enough equity to make him a majority shareholder at Alpine.