Horner and Red Bull: Million-dollar agreement and possible return to F1 in 2026

Christian Horner: Heading Towards His Formula 1 Return

Sources close to Alofoke Deportes reveal that Christian Horner could return to Formula 1 as early as the spring of 2026. This is due to a finalized financial 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, ends a 20-year career with the team, which began from its beginnings in F1. Horner’s dismissal surprised at the time, as he had a contract until 2030. It is understood that he accepted a reduced compensation compared to the full contractual payment, which allows him to return to F1 in any function next spring. A source placed the compensation at around $100 million.

Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull conquered eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships in two periods of dominance. On Monday, after the agreement, Red Bull confirmed its departure from the company. An official statement from Red Bull Racing said: “Oracle Red Bull Racing announces today that team principal and CEO, Christian Horner, will leave the team.” Previous sources had informed Alofoke Deportes that Horner was interested in returning to the Formula 1 world as soon as possible. Before his dismissal, Horner was linked with Ferrari, but the Italian team extended the contract of its boss, Fred Vasseur. The F1 Cadillac team also ruled out its incorporation. More recently, Horner has been linked to a possible consortium seeking to invest in a stake in the Alpine team’s ownership.

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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 it 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. This did nothing but deepen the political divisions that followed the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022. Horner also had a highly publicized confrontation with Jos Verstappen, Max’s father. The Verstappens are closely linked to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Laurent Mekies has replaced Horner at Red Bull, who has just achieved consecutive victories in the Italian and Azerbaijan Grand Prix.