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Will Buxton has called for the Formula 1 paddock to ‘get over’ their obsession with Christian Horner.
In recent weeks, there have been several jobs in the Formula 1 paddock that have appeared within multiple teams, which have seen Christian Horner being linked with each job.
Horner entered the Formula 1 paddock with Red Bull in 2005 as he was named as the team principal, and was the youngest team principal in the sport at the time.
The Brit held the position at Red Bull until 2025, when he was dismissed from his role as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing after the British Grand Prix.
Since then, Horner has not made a return to Formula 1, but has recently been linked to the team principal role within Alpine and Aston Martin.
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Will Buxton says the ‘fascination’ with Christian Horner must end
During the Up To Speed podcast, Will Buxton called for the Formula 1 paddock to ‘get over’ linking Horner to every job that becomes available.
He suggested that instead of going back to someone who was previously in the paddock, Formula 1 should be giving opportunities to ‘new blood’.
Buxton said, “Can we also move to get over the fascination with Christian Horner? Can we get over mentioning him every single week, to do with every single job opportunity that has opened up in Formula 1?
“Let’s give it to some new blood, let’s give it to some people who are coming through the ranks, people like Jonathan Wheatley, who proved themselves for 20 or 30 years and have been given the opportunity. I love to see Alan Permane given the opportunities, I love to see Laurent Mekies getting the opportunities.
“For too long in Formula 1, we keep going back to people who have been in the sport for 30, 40, 50 years. Let’s give it to fresh blood, let’s give opportunities to people who have proved themselves, and deserve to step up and take on the main job.”
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Differing opinions on Christian Horner within the F1 paddock
Since his dismissal at Red Bull, there have been mixed opinions on Horner throughout the Formula 1 paddock. However, former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Horner should return in a role at Aston Martin.
Montoya said, “They need somebody like Christian… I think people underestimate what Christian’s done, and for how long he did at Red Bull. You might like him, you might hate him, but he could deliver.”
Although Horner and Adrian Newey worked together at Red Bull and could reunite at Aston Martin, it has been reported that Newey is ‘opposed’ to the duo reuniting any time soon.
With it looking unlikely that Horner will arrive at Aston Martin, Horner is down to his final option, as he may have to invest in Alpine to secure a team principal role there.
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