New F1 paddock ‘whisper’ reveals what Christian Horner has just done in his comeback bid

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Christian Horner is not simply sitting at home during his gardening leave after being sacked by Red Bull, with the Briton determined to return to the Formula 1 paddock.

The 51-year-old was relieved of his command in Milton Keynes in July, as the parent Red Bull GmbH company sought a change at the very top to address the F1 team’s regression. Horner had been the only F1 team principal that Red Bull Racing had known since debuting in 2005.

Laurent Mekies replaced Horner as Red Bull’s team principal and also CEO in July, and has since overseen a return to form that is helping Max Verstappen fight to retain the F1 drivers’ championship. Verstappen trails leader Lando Norris by 49 points with three rounds to play.

Red Bull paid Horner £80m to leave the F1 team when they ultimately finalised his severance package in September, as his contract was set to run through 2030. The value of the pay-off has been questioned, with some suggestions that he accepted £52m to return to F1 sooner.

Christian Horner meets US and Middle East investors for funds to buy shares in an F1 team

It is believed that Horner can return to F1 as early as April 2026 after Red Bull agreed to trim the length of his gardening leave in return for a reduced severance package. And Horner has been hard at work in the meantime trying to put plans in place to facilitate any return to F1.

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

According to Joe Saward, one ‘whisper’ floated around the paddock at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix last weekend that Horner is currently visiting potential investors in the Middle East and the United States of America. He is trying to gather enough finances to get shares in a team.

Horner hopes to secure the resources that would allow him to return to F1 as a team owner, rather than as a team principal or CEO like he was for Red Bull. It is likely that he offered the likely investors a services agreement to buy shares in return for his expertise and contacts.

The Leamington Spa native spent 20 years in charge of Red Bull and turned what was once a beleaguered Jaguar outfit into perennial title winners. Horner oversaw two dominant eras at Red Bull with Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013 and with Verstappen from 2021 until 2024.

F1’s 2026 regulations could help to decide Christian Horner’s return with Alpine’s future uncertain

Horner has been linked with multiple F1 teams since Red Bull sacked him just days after the British Grand Prix this July. Aston Martin and Ferrari have regularly been linked with Horner, as they both strive to improve their fortunes by turning to the man who made Red Bull win.

Another whisper also floated around the F1 paddock in Brazil that suggested that Alpine are lining Horner up to be their team principal in 2027. A move to Enstone is now thought to be his most likely route back into the paddock, as Renault might soon be open to selling Alpine.

The 2026 F1 regulations might play a major role in where Horner ends up, with most teams looking at next season as the year they can make their case with new engine and aero rules. Alpine are rooted to last place in the 2025 constructors’ standings with just 22 points so far.