Christian Horner is set to return to Formula 1, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirming his comeback is certain. Horner was dismissed from his role as Team Principal and CEO at Red Bull Racing following the 2025 British Grand Prix. He received a reported $100 million payout, and his period of gardening leave concluded earlier this year.
Horner made his first paddock appearance since his departure at the recent 2026 British Grand Prix. His primary condition for re-entering the sport is to secure a position that allows him to ‘drive difference’ and lead a project with a clear opportunity to win.
He has stated he has ‘no interest in just being a number in a machine’ and seeks empowerment to implement significant changes. Horner also aims to acquire a share in any prospective team, focusing on building a project rather than merely managing.
Speculation has linked Horner with several teams, including Alpine, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. He has also been mentioned in connection with a potential 12th Formula 1 team, possibly backed by Chinese manufacturer BYD.
However, Renault Group CEO Francois Provost has indicated that there are currently ‘no discussion today with Christian’ regarding Alpine. Horner’s return would potentially see him reunite with design legend Adrian Newey at Aston Martin, who left Red Bull in 2024.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing remains uncertain. His management held preliminary discussions with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown following the Austrian Grand Prix.
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, which extends until 2028, includes performance-based exit clauses. These clauses are now officially active after the 2026 British Grand Prix.
The clause permits Verstappen to leave if he is not positioned within the top two of the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer break, which occurs after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26.
It is now mathematically impossible for Verstappen to reach second place in the championship by the summer break. He currently sits seventh, 78 points behind the second-placed driver, with a maximum of 50 points available from the upcoming Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix.
Verstappen crashed out of the British Grand Prix on Lap 48 due to a rear-wing issue, which he described as ‘dangerous’. This incident marked his second rear-wing related problem in eight days, following a spin during qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Red Bull reportedly offered €8 million to buy out Verstappen’s exit clause, an offer he declined. He is not required to inform Red Bull of his decision to activate the clause until October 2026.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has affirmed that the team has no immediate plans to alter its current driver lineup, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri under contract for the 2027 season.
Adding to the speculation, Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, has reportedly agreed to join McLaren in 2028. This development raises questions regarding Red Bull’s technical leadership’s concerns about Lambiase’s handling of confidential information.
Red Bull Racing recently completed its second and final film day of the season at Silverstone. The team holds low expectations for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, citing the circuit’s high energy demands.
