Christian Horner is being backed for a Formula 1 return despite comeback stalling – Despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding his return to Formula 1 following his dismissal in 2025, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has received strong public backing from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Nearly a year since leaving Red Bull Racing, Horner has yet to secure a new role in the paddock. While speculation continues over possible opportunities, including involvement with the Alpine F1 Team, no concrete move has materialised.
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Ben Sulayem: “We miss him in this sport.”
He has made his position clear, insisting that Horner remains an important figure in Formula 1 and predicting that he will eventually return.
“Who could erase Christian Horner’s name from motorsport and Formula 1? That’s impossible. He was always successful,” reports RacingNews365. “But, as we all know, success also creates enemies.”
The FIA president continued: “If you ask me, we miss him in this sport, and I miss him. I’m still in contact with him. He was good for the team and good for the sport. We would love to welcome him back, and someone like him will always find his way.”
He also offered a more personal reflection on Horner’s character: “I always tell him: ‘You talk too much, but you don’t mean any harm. He has a pure heart.'”
Turbulent exit from Red Bull explained
Horner’s departure from Red Bull in July 2025 followed a prolonged period of internal tension within the team. Earlier, in 2024, he had been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female employee.
Although an internal investigation by Red Bull cleared Horner of wrongdoing, the situation exposed deeper divisions within the organisation. Those tensions continued to escalate over the following months.
After two decades of leading the team, Horner was ultimately removed from his position, with Laurent Mekies stepping in as his successor.
Support for Horner’s return
Ben Sulayem is not alone in supporting Horner’s return: Zak Brown has also publicly stated that Formula 1 would benefit from having the experienced team principal back in the paddock.
Horner is widely regarded as one of the most successful figures in the modern era of Formula 1, having overseen multiple championship-winning eras at Red Bull. His absence has been notable, particularly during a period of significant regulatory and competitive change within the sport.
What next for Horner?
Despite the strong backing, his next move remains unclear. One possibility is a leadership or ownership role at Alpine, potentially linked to investment structures involving Otro Capital.
Ben Sulayem remains confident that Horner will return. “I have a feeling he’ll come back,” he said. “When he does come back, it will be as if he’s just gone on holiday.”
For now, however, Horner’s Formula 1 comeback remains in limbo, supported at the highest level but without a confirmed path back to the grid.
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Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
Clara’s work brings depth and perspective to the sport, complementing news and analysis with stories that highlight the people behind the machinery.
Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
Oh, I think I like BS more and more!
He’s SO right about CH and apparently not afraid to say so … GOOD ON HIM, because there IS a void!
I’m not sure I agree that he talks too much … I was ALWAYS interested in what he had to say, and I don’t think there was too much bulls**t in it either.
Can’t wait for his return to the paddock