Christian Horner handed F1 comeback opportunity as team boss ‘set to be sacked’
Christian Horner has been linked with a return to Formula One following his removal from Red Bull in July, with the Brit reportedly a contender to replace Andy Cowell at Aston Martin
Christian Horner is reportedly in the running to replace Andy Cowell as Aston Martin team principal, with the 56 year old rumoured to be facing the sack after the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The former Red Bull chief has been seeking a way back into F1 since his departure in July.
Following a tumultuous Las Vegas GP, RacingNews365 reported that Cowell was on the brink of being ousted from his role at Aston Martin, with the team currently struggling in seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, a mere eight points ahead of ninth-placed Sauber. Their report named ex- McLaren and Sauber man, Andreas Seidl, as the front-runner to take over.
However, according to BBC Sport, Horner is also in the mix to succeed Cowell. The iconic former Red Bull team principal has been linked with numerous teams since leaving the paddock in July, including Ferrari, Haas and Alpine, but this could be his biggest opportunity since stepping down.
Interestingly, rumours of Horner moving to Aston Martin surfaced ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, but these were swiftly quashed by Cowell, who made it clear his team had no interest in the 52-year-old.
“I had a chat with Lawrence [Stroll, owner of Aston Martin F1 ] this morning to find out what he knows,” he told the media in Singapore. “It looks as though Christian’s ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment. I can clearly say there are no plans for involvement of Christian either in an operational or investment role in the future.”
Should Horner make his comeback to the grid with Aston Martin, it would spark a reunion with bitter rival Zak Brown, who took aim at the ex-Red Bull chief before the opening round of the season-ending triple header in Las Vegas.
READ MORE: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified in nightmare Las Vegas GP for McClaren
“I’ve known Christian for 30-plus years. We used to get on,” the McLaren Racing CEO told The Telegraph. “His results are amazing. So, hats off. But he’s changed. I think the Drive to Survive fame, the money, the glory, all got a bit much.”
Horner’s previous team, Red Bull, had reason to celebrate in Las Vegas, however. Max Verstappen kept his Drivers’ Championship hopes breathing with triumph in Sin City, sweeping past pole-sitter and title contender Lando Norris at the opening corner after the McLaren driver drifted wide on the outside before cruising to victory by 20 seconds.
Later, both McLaren cars were disqualified after failing post-race FIA inspections, meaning the four-time world champion travels to Qatar just 24 points behind Norris at the top of the standings.
