Horner charges $100M and could return to F1 in 2026, according to sources

Christian Horner ready to return to Formula 1

According to sources close to the matter, Christian Horner could return to Formula 1 as early as the spring of 2026, after concluding a financial agreement with Red Bull. Horner was removed from his operational duties by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the energy drink brand, two days after the British Grand Prix in July, ending a 20-year career with the team, which began from its inception in F1. His departure was surprising, 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 function next spring. A source estimated the payment at around 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. Oracle Red Bull Racing announces today that Team Principal and CEO, Christian Horner, will leave the team. Previous sources indicated that Horner is interested in returning to the Formula 1 world as soon as possible. Before his dismissal, Horner had been linked with Ferrari, but the Italian team extended the contract of team boss Fred Vasseur. The F1 Cadillac team also ruled out a move for him. More recently, Horner has been linked in reports to a possible consortium seeking to invest in an ownership stake of the Alpine team.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images In a statement, Horner expressed his gratitude for his time at Red Bull.

Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honor and a privilege. 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 believe possible, and I will always carry that with me.

Christian Horner

Horner was fired a year after keeping his position following an internal investigation into inappropriate sexual conduct stemming from accusations by a former Red Bull Racing employee. Laurent Mekies has taken over Horner’s role at Red Bull, which has just secured consecutive victories in the Italian and Azerbaijan Grand Prix.