Christian Horner’s Next Move: A Power Play for F1 Supremacy?
In a stunning twist in the world of Formula 1, Christian Horner, a titan of the sport, has found himself at a crossroads after an illustrious 20-year reign as team principal of Red Bull Racing. Following his recent departure from the team, the motorsport world is abuzz with speculation about Horner’s next chapter. Could he be poised for a dramatic return, this time as a team owner? Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos thinks so!
Doornbos, who knows Horner well, is confident that the 51-year-old, hailed as one of the most successful figures in F1 history, will not remain on the sidelines for long. “Knowing Christian, yes,” Doornbos declared when asked if Horner would return to the F1 paddock. “Let’s not forget, he’s incredibly young. He already has 20 years of experience, but he’s still only 51.” This experience has cemented Horner’s reputation, and now, the question is: what will he do next?
The departure has ushered in a new era for Red Bull, with Laurent Mekies stepping in as the new team principal, but many insiders believe that Horner’s expertise and insight are too valuable to be left untapped. Doornbos suggests that Horner should aim for a role that encompasses both ownership and daily operations, similar to what Toto Wolff enjoys at Mercedes. “That was the only thing missing,” he emphasized. “What Lawrence Stroll at Aston Martin or Toto Wolff has – you want to be a shareholder.”
As the search for Horner’s next move intensifies, Doornbos points out that one team stands out as a potential opportunity: Alpine. “Only Alpine, if I go down the list,” he stated. “That would be a team that, at some point, is in such dire straits and says, ‘We’re at a loss.’ Flavio [Briatore] isn’t going to do it forever.” This could be the perfect scenario for Horner to step in and revive a struggling franchise, claiming ownership and steering it back to success.
With bright minds already in place at Alpine, there is an undeniable allure for Horner to take on the challenge. “Christian [could] say, ‘I like a project like that, I’ll take it on, and I want shares, then we’ll make it a huge success again,'” Doornbos suggested, painting a picture of a potential comeback that could shake the very foundations of Formula 1.
As fans and pundits alike watch and wait, one thing is clear: Christian Horner’s next move could redefine the landscape of F1 racing. Will he take the plunge into ownership, or will he find another way to wield his influence in the sport he loves? The motorsport community is on high alert, eager to see what this storied figure will do next!