Horner reveals Jordan GP almost became Red Bull F1 team

Christian Horner has disclosed that Eddie Jordan's Formula 1 team came "very, very nearly" to being purchased and rebranded as the Red Bull Racing outfit in 2005, a deal that ultimately went to Jaguar instead. The revelation sheds light on a pivotal fork in the road for one of the sport's most successful modern teams and Horner's own unlikely path to becoming its long-time boss.

Why it matters:

The near-acquisition of Jordan Grand Prix represents a major 'what if' moment in F1 history. Red Bull's eventual purchase of Jaguar created a championship-winning juggernaut, but absorbing the plucky, independent Jordan team—with its distinct culture and personnel—would have resulted in a fundamentally different organization. This story also highlights the interconnected and often serendipitous nature of F1 team ownership and leadership.

The details:

• Speaking publicly since his Red Bull departure, Horner recounted that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was actively pushing him to find a solution to buy Jordan Grand Prix in 2004/2005.
• The deal ultimately fell through, with Red Bull's parent company instead purchasing the Jaguar F1 team from Ford at the end of 2004, installing the 31-year-old Horner as team principal.
• Horner also shared an earlier anecdote from his teenage years, when he sought advice from a newly-established Eddie Jordan. The advice he received—"Get a good lawyer and a good sponsor"—was unexpected but marked the beginning of a supportive relationship.
• Horner briefly touched on his famed rivalry with Mercedes' Toto Wolff, stating they are "just different people, equally competitive," and that sport is "boring if everybody is friendly."

What's next:

While this historical footnote doesn't change the present, it underscores how fragile the foundations of F1's biggest teams can be. Horner's future remains a dominant topic in the paddock, with his next move yet to be announced. The story serves as a reminder that the grid's landscape is often shaped by deals that almost happened, not just those that did.