Horner and Newey: ¿Reunion at Aston Martin without problems?

Horner, heading to Aston Martin?

Christian Horner could take on a leadership role at the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Aston Martin is reportedly seeking a change in its leadership, with the possible departure of the current team director, Andy Cowell, who was previously key to the success of Mercedes’ dominant engine in the last decade. Cowell is expected to take on a role overseeing Aston Martin’s power unit project as the team prepares for a new engine partnership with Honda from 2026. Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin, has big ambitions to turn his team into a champion under the new F1 regulations, which has included hiring Adrian Newey, a design legend, and building a state-of-the-art facility in Silverstone.

It is understood that Horner is on the list of candidates to take on a leadership position in some capacity. Other names mentioned are former McLaren boss Andreas Seidl and current Sauber/Audi CEO Mattia Binotto, who was Ferrari’s boss between 2019 and 2023. Horner recently agreed a deal, believed to be worth $100 million (£76 million), with Red Bull, which would allow him to return to Formula 1 in early 2026. Aston Martin has been identified as one of the most likely destinations for Horner. He is likely to return with financial backing as part of an investment deal. At Red Bull, Horner became CEO and team principal at the end of his tenure, but had no stake beyond that. A move to Aston Martin would link Horner with Newey, who left Red Bull in 2023 to join Aston Martin as technical director and co-owner of the team. Horner and Newey helped turn Red Bull into a powerhouse that dominated F1 in the early 2010s and at the beginning of the current decade.

While there were speculations that Newey left Red Bull due to a rift with Horner, sources close to the situation have said that neither would have any problem working together again.

A possible drawback in Horner’s move to Aston Martin could be Lawrence Stroll’s desire to bring Max Verstappen to the team in the future if it becomes the dominant force under the new F1 rules. Horner and Verstappen’s father, Jos, had a tense relationship in the years leading up to the former’s departure, although it is believed that Horner and the four-time world champion have maintained a good relationship.