Christian Horner’s name has rarely been out of the headlines since he left Red Bull Racing earlier this year. The long-serving team principal, who led the Milton Keynes outfit to four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships in the early 2010s, as well as to domination again in the 2020s, has been linked with several roles in the paddock.
However, rumours that he might take charge at Haas have now been firmly quashed, and the reasons behind that short-lived discussion are becoming clearer.
Salary speculation
Former Haas team principal Günther Steiner, who knows the inner workings of the American team better than anyone, recently addressed the rumours surrounding Horner’s potential move. Speaking on the “Red Flags” podcast, Steiner suggested that financial expectations may have been the stumbling block: ‘We all know from the reports how much money Christian earned,’ he said, hinting that a difference in salary expectations could have prevented the talks from progressing further.
Reports have long suggested that Horner’s annual salary at Red Bull was around ten million euros. However, Haas, a team operating on one of the tightest budgets on the grid, would find it difficult to justify such a figure. Steiner, who was replaced at Haas in 2023, acknowledged this reality. “The first thing is that I don’t think Haas would pay him that much,” he said. ‘I would have liked to earn as much as Christian, but that wasn’t the case.’
For Horner, who spent nearly two decades leading one of Formula 1’s most successful and well-funded operations, a move to a midfield team like Haas would mean a significant change in terms of resources and expectations. Steiner pointed this out as well: ‘You have to consider where Christian comes from. Red Bull probably has the largest infrastructure of any team in Formula 1.”
The extent of the talks
Ayao Komatsu, who replaced Steiner as Haas team principal, confirmed that Horner had indeed approached Haas. ‘Yes, it’s true that he approached us,’ Komatsu revealed ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. ‘One of our people then held an exploratory discussion. And that was it. It didn’t go any further. The matter is closed.”
He was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the conversation had evolved into serious negotiations. ‘I have nothing more to say,’ he added. ‘As I said, you can write whatever you want. I’m not fuelling this story.’ His comments were consistent with the initial reports in the Daily Mail, which had first claimed that Haas was considering recruiting Horner.
Steiner’s remarks on the podcast provided further clarity, suggesting that the entire episode may have been blown out of proportion. ‘I assume the whole thing came about because he spoke to someone at Haas, as was later reported, and that’s how the rumours started,’ he said. ‘That’s how quickly speculation takes flight in Formula 1. You talk to someone, and it’s already considered fact.’
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It’s a familiar pattern
The Formula 1 rumour mill is rarely quiet, and Horner’s situation is a prime example of how swiftly speculation can turn into headlines. Having left Red Bull under partly confidential circumstances, it was inevitable that any hint of contact with another team would trigger debate about his future.
At the time of his departure, it was reported that Horner had negotiated an exit agreement with Red Bull that would allow him to return to Formula 1 from 2026 onwards. This would align with the next major regulatory cycle in the sport, when new power unit rules come into effect and several teams are expected to undergo structural changes.
For Haas, however, the immediate focus remains on stability. Komatsu’s leadership has so far centred on technical consolidation and improving team morale after several turbulent seasons. While the idea of hiring a high-profile figure like Horner is attractive in theory, it would conflict with Haas’s pragmatic approach. Financially and operationally, it would have been a difficult fit.
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Contrasting management styles
Another factor that may have made the partnership unlikely is the difference in management style between Horner and Steiner. Horner is renowned for his polished corporate diplomacy, media management, and close ties with Red Bull’s ownership structure. In contrast, Haas has traditionally operated as a lean outfit with a hands-on, pragmatic philosophy — something more in line with Steiner’s direct approach.
Steiner’s years at Haas were characterised by tight budgets, constant improvisation and a readiness to make tough personnel and performance decisions without the support of a major manufacturer. For Horner, who was accustomed to abundant resources and a world-class technical structure, such constraints might have presented a significant challenge.
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Future possibilities
Now that the Haas conversation has closed, attention turns to whether Horner might resurface elsewhere in the Formula 1 paddock. The 51-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful figures in team management, and his achievements at Red Bull carry considerable weight. Some insiders believe he could be approached by manufacturers looking to enter in 2026 or by existing teams in need of restructuring.
However, others suggest that Horner may instead take a temporary break from frontline management to focus on consultancy work or media opportunities until the right project emerges. The contractual clause allowing a return in 2026 would provide a natural timeline for such a break.
For now, the Haas rumours appear to have run their course. As Steiner wryly observed, one casual conversation was enough to spark a wave of headlines, but no deal ever came close to materialising. Formula 1’s appetite for intrigue shows no signs of slowing down, but in this case, both parties have made it clear that there was never any serious plan for Christian Horner to swap Red Bull red for Haas white.
Would you have liked to see Horner take charge at Haas? Share your thoughts below and let the jury decide.
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Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
