Zak Brown’s FIA ‘intervention’ could now change Christian Horner’s plans for F1 comeback

Follow us on Google Discover

Christian Horner has considered returning to F1 with a brand-new team, but Zak Brown may prompt a change of plans.

Horner is officially able to return to the sport under the terms of his separation agreement with Red Bull. He was blocked from working for another team for around 10 months after his sacking.

According to Planet F1, Horner has had ‘several meetings’ with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in recent months, where they have discussed the idea of Horner leading a 12th team.

Christian Horner has two essential conditions for an F1 comeback

Given his track record at Red Bull, who won eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships during his 20-year tenure, Horner is able to attract the backing of investors.

But Horner has also met with BYD, the Chinese car company who are known to be seeking a route to the grid. He could effectively become the face of their operation.

Would BYD be a good back-up option for Christian Horner if he does not join Alpine?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

BYD have considered buying an existing team, with Alpine and Aston Martin both floated as options, but F1 bosses are also open to expanding the grid to 24 cars, provided the current teams approve.

According to Craig Slater of Sky Sports News, who has spoken to Horner ‘informally over the past few months’, the 52-year-old isn’t rushing to return ‘for the sake of it’. He’s ‘ready to come back’ but it needs to be the right project.

He wants to be offered a stake in the business – something he never had at Red Bull – and is only interested in joining a team that can win.

F1’s ‘stakeholders and leadership figures’ are said to be enthusiastic about the idea of Horner re-entering the fold, with Ben Sulayem going on record to say ‘we would welcome him back’.

Has Zak Brown accidentally paved the way for Christian Horner return?

Last week, it emerged that McLaren boss Brown had sent a letter to the FIA opposing Mercedes’ attempts to invest in Alpine.

Brown is the leading critic of multi-team ownership in F1, having raised concerns about sporting integrity. Red Bull and Racing Bulls were his previous targets, but Mercedes’ negotiations over a 24% Alpine stake open up a new battleground.

After Ben Sulayem said the FIA are looking into tougher regulations on the matter, Brown saw his opportunity to apply further pressure. As Slater says, his ‘interventions’ could have a significant ‘bearing’ on how the battle for Otro Capital’s Alpine shares play out.

If Mercedes are blocked from striking a deal, or Renault walk away to avoid long-term uncertainty, then Horner will be well-placed to capitalise. He’s not the preferred bidder at this stage, but he may be seen as a suitable plan B.

Alpine are not currently a frontrunning team in F1, but they won world championships under the guise of Renault and Benetton in the past, and their progress at the start of the new regulations suggests they can still realise their untapped potential.

Perhaps, with the unlikely assistance of Brown, Horner could have a relatively quick path back to the pit wall and he might scrap his plans to front a new team after all.