Horner to Aston Martin: Relationship with Newey is NOT an obstacle, according to sources

Christian Horner, heading to Aston Martin?

According to reports, Christian Horner could take on a leadership role at the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Aston Martin is reportedly considering a change in its leadership, possibly replacing the current team principal, Andy Cowell, who was previously key in the development of Mercedes’ dominant engine. Cowell is expected to move to a position overseeing Aston Martin’s power unit project as the team prepares for a new engine partnership with Honda from 2026. Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has big ambitions to turn his team into champions under the new F1 regulations. This includes hiring legendary designer Adrian Newey and building state-of-the-art facilities at Silverstone.

Horner is on the list of candidates to fill the leadership position. Other names mentioned are Andreas Seidl, former McLaren boss, and Mattia Binotto, current CEO of Sauber/Audi and former Ferrari boss. Recently, Horner agreed to a deal with Red Bull, which would allow him to return to Formula 1 in early 2026. It has been suggested that Aston Martin is one of the most likely destinations for Horner. His return to F1 is likely not just as a traditional team principal, but with financial backing as part of an investment deal. In Red Bull, Horner became CEO and team principal, but without significant shareholding. Joining Aston Martin would mean Horner would work with Newey again, who left Red Bull in 2023 to join Aston Martin as technical director and co-owner of the team. Horner and Newey were fundamental in transforming Red Bull into a powerhouse that dominated F1 in the 2010s and the beginning of the current decade.

Although there were speculations about a possible split between Horner and Newey, sources indicate that they would have no problem working together again.

A possible obstacle to Horner’s arrival at Aston Martin could be Lawrence Stroll’s desire to bring Max Verstappen to the team in the future, in case it becomes the dominant force under the new F1 rules.

The relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, was tense in the past, although it is believed that Horner and the four-time world champion maintain a good relationship.