Horner leaves Red Bull with $100M and aims to return to F1 in 2026

Christian Horner could return to Formula 1 in 2026

Sources close to the situation indicate that Christian Horner could return to Formula 1 as early as the spring of 2026. This is because he has finalized an economic agreement with Red Bull. Horner, who was “relieved of his operational duties” by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the energy drink brand, two days after the British Grand Prix in July, ended a 20-year career with the team, which began in its early days in F1. Horner’s dismissal surprised at the time, as he had a contract until 2030. It is understood that Horner accepted a reduced payment compared to what would have been the full contractual payment, allowing him to return to F1 in any capacity next spring. A source estimated the payment in the region of 100 million dollars.

Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull won eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships in two periods of dominance. On Monday, after the agreement, Red Bull confirmed that it is no longer with the company. A statement said: “Oracle Red Bull Racing announces today that team principal and CEO, Christian Horner, will leave the team.” Other sources had previously reported that Horner is interested in returning to the Formula 1 world as soon as possible.

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Before his dismissal, Horner had been linked with Ferrari, but the Italian team has since extended the contract of team principal Fred Vasseur. The next F1 team, Cadillac, also ruled out a move for him. More recently, Horner has been linked in reports to a possible consortium seeking to invest in an equity stake in the Alpine team.

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“Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honor and a privilege,” Horner added in the Red Bull statement.

Christian Horner

“When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey that awaited us: the championships, the races, the people, the memories. I am incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team, breaking records and reaching heights that no one would have believed possible, and I will always carry that with me.” Horner was fired a year after keeping his position following an internal investigation into inappropriate sexual conduct stemming from allegations by a former Red Bull Racing employee. That only deepened the political divisions that followed the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022. Horner also had a highly publicized clash with Jos Verstappen, Max’s father. The Verstappens are closely aligned with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Laurent Mekies has taken over from Horner at Red Bull, which has just secured consecutive victories in the Italian and Azerbaijan Grand Prix.