Christian Horner has broken his silence since his unceremonious exit from Red Bull and admits he feels that he has “unfinished business in Formula 1.”
The 52-year-old was axed by the Milton Keynes-based squad as its Team Principal and CEO, days after last year’s British Grand Prix, after 20 years at the helm.
Horner was immediately replaced by Racing Bulls counterpart Laurent Mekies, and the intervening time has seen much speculation as to what his next move might be.
The rumour mill has churned constantly, linking him with moves to Ferrari, Cadillac and Haas, but the majority of talk has centred around an involvement with Alpine.
Horner’s friend and Alpine Executive Advisor, Flavio Briatore, has confirmed Horner has been in talks to buy a minority stake in the Enstone-based outfit.
And just this week, Horner was also in Paris, holding a meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
But speaking at the European Motor Show in Dublin, Horner made his feelings clear that he believes there is still more for him to achieve in the sport.
“I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula 1,” he was quoted as saying by The Independent. “It didn’t finish the way that I would have liked it to finish.
“But I am not going to come back for just anything. I am only going to come back for something that can win.”
Christian Horner ‘in no rush’ to make F1 return
Up until his recent meeting with Ben Sulayem, Horner has been largely out of public view since his last weekend as Team Principal.
Whilst seemingly missing the daily grind of the sport, Horner explained that he won’t return without a significant purpose.
“I don’t want to go back in the paddock unless I have something to do,” he said. “I miss the sport, I miss the people, I miss the team that I built. I had 21 incredible years in Formula 1.
I had a great run, won a lot of races, championships and worked with some amazing drivers, engineers and partners. I don’t need to go back. I could stop my career now.
“So I would only go back for the right opportunity to work with great people, and to work in an environment where people want to win, and they shared that desire.
“I would want to be a partner, rather than just a hired hand, but we will see how it plays out. I am not in a rush. I don’t need to do anything.”
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