What Christian Horner and Adrian Newey were seen doing on British GP grid amid Aston Martin rumours

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Christian Horner returned to the Formula 1 paddock on Sunday amid ongoing rumours that he could make his comeback with Aston Martin.

It was the first time Horner had been seen at an F1 race since last year’s British Grand Prix, his final weekend as Red Bull team principal before his abrupt sacking.

While there have been suggestions that Horner could front a brand-new entrant, he has been linked most strongly with Aston Martin and Alpine over the past year. He has been eligible to return to work since the spring under his settlement with Red Bull.

Christian Horner’s warm Adrian Newey encounter could be a ‘clue’ about F1 future

One potential obstacle to an Aston Martin move is the presence of Adrian Newey. It’s known that relations between Horner and Newey became strained in the period leading up to the designer’s resignation in April 2024.

Newey is currently the team principal at Aston Martin, though this is seen as a temporary measure until they make a long-term appointment. Former Audi boss Jonathan Wheatley, another ex-Red Bull man, has been the favourite to fill the position, but the story has gone quiet.

How should Red Bull have handled Christian Horner’s sacking? 🤔

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Newey, who has shares in the Aston Martin team, would have to give his assent before Lawrence Stroll could strike any deal with Horner.

As such, it’s significant that, according to The Telegraph, Horner was seen ’embracing’ Newey on the Silverstone grid before the race restarted. This suggests their relationship is cordial, which could be a ‘clue’ about his future.

In various interviews on Sunday, Horner said he was open to returning to F1 for the right project, but he wouldn’t discuss any team in detail.

• READ MORE: Christian Horner receives new ‘SOS’ call from F1 team after aborting talks at ‘11th hour’

Aston Martin’s 2026 plight continued on Sunday as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished second to last and last.

In the coming races, they are plotting to introduce the biggest upgrade package seen anywhere on the grid this season, but Aston Martin were 2.2 seconds off Q2 last weekend, so even that might be out of reach.