Horner to Aston Martin: Relationship with Newey, no problems according to sources

Horner, Next Aston Martin Leader in Formula 1?

Christian Horner could take on a leadership role at the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. This news comes amid significant changes and renewed ambitions within the team. Aston Martin is reportedly considering a change in its leadership, possibly replacing the current team principal, Andy Cowell. Cowell, known for his work on Mercedes’ dominant engines in the last decade, could take on a different role within the organization, overseeing Aston Martin’s power unit project in its new partnership with Honda starting in 2026. The owner of Aston Martin, Lawrence Stroll, has high aspirations of turning his team into a champion under the new F1 regulations. This has involved the hiring of key figures like Adrian Newey, in addition to the construction of state-of-the-art facilities in Silverstone.

Horner would be on the list of candidates to take the leadership position at Aston Martin. Other names also mentioned are Andreas Seidl, former McLaren boss, and Mattia Binotto, current CEO of Sauber/Audi and former Ferrari boss. Horner recently reached an agreement with Red Bull, freeing him to return to Formula 1 in early 2026. It is speculated that Horner would not return to F1 only as a team principal, but could do so with significant financial backing as part of an investment deal. At Red Bull, Horner held the positions of CEO and team principal. A move to Aston Martin would allow Horner to reunite with Newey, who left Red Bull in 2023 to join Aston Martin as technical director and co-owner of the team. Horner and Newey were key to Red Bull’s success, which dominated F1 in the early 2010s and at the beginning of the current one.

Despite speculations about a possible split between Horner and Newey, sources close to them have indicated that they would have no problem working together again.

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

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