Christian Horner eyes F1 return only with a winning project

Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner has declared he has "unfinished business" in Formula 1 and misses the sport, but will only consider a return if it's with a project capable of winning. The 52-year-old, eligible to return to the paddock this spring, is linked to a consortium eyeing a stake in Alpine and has been the subject of widespread return rumors.

Why it matters:

Horner's potential return is one of the biggest off-track stories in F1. As the architect of Red Bull's dominant era, his experience and winning mentality are a rare commodity. His insistence on joining only a competitive operation signals he wouldn't take a mere symbolic role, meaning any move would likely aim to shake up the established order and could significantly impact a team's trajectory.

The details:

• Speaking publicly for the first time since his 2025 dismissal, Horner stated, "I feel like I have unfinished business... I am only going to come back for something that can win."
• He emphasized he doesn't need to return and could stop his career now, but misses the people and the team he built over 21 years.
• His ideal role would be as a "partner, rather than just a hired hand," in an environment with a shared desire to win.
• On rampant media speculation linking him to various teams, Horner called it "very flattering" but noted he is prohibited from any official role until spring.
• Regarding his famous rivalry with Mercedes' Toto Wolff, Horner expressed respect for his success but stated, "We are just different people." He argued such rivalries create essential interest in the sport.

What's next:

The clock starts on Horner's formal return eligibility this spring. All eyes will be on whether the Alpine investment consortium materializes and if he attaches himself to it or another project. His conditions mean only front-running or ambitious, well-funded teams are plausible destinations, setting the stage for a major driver-market-style saga in the team principal arena.