Christian Horner's Australian Speaking Tour Postponed to August

Christian Horner's planned speaking tour of Australia has been postponed from its original late-February dates to August, citing an "unforeseen scheduling conflict." The former Red Bull Racing Team Principal was set to appear in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth in the lead-up to the Australian Grand Prix, but the events will now take place later in the year as speculation continues about his potential return to the F1 paddock with Alpine.

Why it matters:

The postponement comes amid intense speculation about Horner's next career move, with the timing fueling questions about whether the delay is linked to ongoing negotiations for a potential investment in Alpine. His public appearances are closely watched for hints about his future, making any change to his schedule a point of interest within the F1 community.

The details:

• The "world-exclusive" tour was originally scheduled for Melbourne (February 24), Sydney (February 26), and Perth (March 2), featuring a live interview and fan Q&A.
• The promoter confirmed the postponement, with new dates set for Sydney (August 1), Melbourne (August 2), and Perth (August 4).
• Horner has been heavily linked to Alpine since his mid-2025 departure from Red Bull, with rumors suggesting he could acquire a 24% stake in the team.
• Alpine executive Flavio Briatore has acknowledged Horner has been "negotiating" with the team, though a decision on any stake sale is not expected before September.

What's next:

The rescheduled August tour will now occur well after the mid-season break, potentially providing a clearer picture of Horner's future by then. In recent comments, Horner has stated he is in "no rush" to return and would only come back for a "genuinely exciting" project with winning potential, suggesting any role would be different from his two-decade tenure running Red Bull. All eyes remain on the outcome of his talks with Alpine as the 2026 season approaches.