Christian Horner: What's Next?
The Formula 1® world is still reeling from the shock news of Christian Horner's departure as Red Bull F1® Team Principal and CEO.
After two decades and an incredible 14 world titles with the team, his exit has ignited the biggest question in the paddock: What's next for one of the most successful team managers in F1® history?
It's been less than a fortnight since Red Bull, a valued client of Senate Grand Prix, parted ways with a man who built a racing empire from the ground up.
Horner himself is yet to speak to the media, observing a period of gardening leave until the end of 2025.
However, his quiet activity behind the scenes suggests he's already eyeing a route back into the paddock.
A Legacy of Unquestionable Success
Horner's record speaks for itself.
He presided over Red Bull Racing's transformation from midfield underdogs to a formidable world-class sporting brand.
His achievements are extraordinary: 124 Grand Prix wins and 8 World Constructors' Championships (alongside 8 World Drivers' Championships).
These are figures that firmly place him among the most outstanding team principals the sport has ever seen.
The loss of his strategic vision and leadership must undoubtedly have a profound impact on the Red Bull team, especially as they navigate the complexities of the current season (where the RB21 car, while formidable with Max, has proven a challenge for any other driver) and the looming 2026 regulation changes.
The Rumour Mill: Cadillac and Beyond?
So, where could Horner, at 51 years young, land next?
Retirement isn't in his vocabulary. And there might even be a part of him that burns with a desire to beat Red Bull on track, fuelled by a sense of injustice.
Intriguingly, Cadillac has now emerged as a 'likeliest' destination for Horner.
The American giant is set to make their F1® debut at next year’s Australian Grand Prix, initially partnering with Ferrari for engines (though General Motors has been approved as an engine supplier from 2029).
Horner is intimately familiar with this blueprint: harnessing the wealth of a global brand to climb from midfield underdog to championship winner, a feat he achieved with Red Bull in just five years.
The opportunity to build a new powerhouse from scratch could be immensely appealing to a man of his ambition.
While he has a strong relationship with Flavio Briatore (an Alpine advisor), it's hard to imagine Horner at Alpine under their current organisational structure.
He operates at an extremely high standard, and he'll only return for a project that meets those demanding criteria.
The F1® paddock has a unique gravitational pull.
You never truly leave. Consider figures like Sir Jackie Stewart, who remains a lasting presence.
Even Bernie Ecclestone, in his nineties, couldn't stay away from the action a few weeks ago.
The late, great Niki Lauda returned to F1® management to spearhead Mercedes' dominance. And we see it today with the return of Flavio Briatore to Alpine, as well as the constant influx of pundits and journalists who are all former F1 drivers.
This sport gets into your blood, and I know this firsthand, having missed many races due to Covid-19. I missed the sound, the smell of fuel, the smell of tyre rubber and the enjoyment you see on people's faces.
Ferrari would also be an incredible fit for Christian.
I have immense respect for what he built at Red Bull from the ground up, and I genuinely believe he could bring glory to Maranello, even potentially forging a formidable partnership with Lewis Hamilton for the 2026 regulations.
Christian Horner's future is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating narratives unfolding in Formula 1®.
His unparalleled success at Red Bull means he will forever be a monumental figure in the sport's history.
Whatever his next step, it will undoubtedly shape a new chapter not just for him, but potentially for one of F1®'s leading teams. The power play continues!
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