What’s next for Christian Horner after his dismissal from Red Bull?

After his abrupt departure from Red Bull, Christian Horner could take advantage of this moment to rest, as he will have a long period of leave.

But he is a man eager for success: you don’t build such an impressive track record as his, over more than twenty years at the highest level of motorsport, without having the thirst to win.

What are his options?

A departure at Ferrari?

Even before his departure from Red Bull, rumors were already circulating that Christian Horner might be a candidate to join the long line of team directors tasked with reviving Ferrari. The current holder, Fred Vasseur, is said to be on a shaky seat, and no obvious successor is emerging within the walls of Maranello, at least not with the experience and know-how that the former Red Bull boss possesses.

That’s why the Briton had so far rejected the advances of John Elkann, the president of Ferrari — but that was before he found himself unemployed.

This prospect would no doubt flatter his ego, and he would have every reason to believe he could bring Ferrari back to its glory days, while challenging the dominance of Red Bull. Two years ago, the idea of a Ferrari renaissance led by Christian Horner and Lewis Hamilton would have seemed unimaginable, but today, it is no longer impossible.

Christian Horner to the Rescue of Alpine?

Alpine has just confirmed Steve Nielsen as the general manager, but given the revolving door policy at Enstone, he might disappear even before officially starting on September 1st.

Under the supervision of Flavio Briatore, the team’s advisor, Steve Nielsen’s role resembles that of a team principal, but with some restrictions: it is generally Flavio Briatore who calls the shots.

It would be difficult to imagine Christian Horner joining a struggling team with such a power structure, but it would be a strong sign of Alpine’s ambitions if they sought to recruit someone like him.

Enstone is also not far from Christian Horner’s home, and the idea of building a winning project almost from scratch could attract him.

Switch sides

Could Christian Horner change gears? There are several positions within the FIA or the Formula 1 organization itself where he could easily fit in.

Even if he didn’t gather enough support to run for the FIA presidency (and even if he had left Red Bull in time to do so), many former team bosses have subsequently worked for this institution.

Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, and even the current F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, have all made the transition from the paddock to administrative management. Why not Christian Horner?

He knows the teams and all the inner workings of the piranhas’ club that is the F1 paddock perfectly, which would make him a valuable asset behind the scenes of power.

Speak

Christian Horner has spent 20 years at Red Bull, overseeing 406 Grand Prix and contributing to six constructors’ titles as well as eight drivers’ championships.

During almost all these races, it felt like Sky Sports had a direct line with him: he appeared before and after the qualifications, before, during, and after the race. He knew perfectly how to use the airtime to convey his message and that of his team. Could he therefore embrace a full-time career in the media?

Sky recently renewed its F1 team to refresh its offering, and having someone like Christian Horner, with unmatched knowledge of the inner workings of top teams, would be a masterstroke.

Christian Horner has become an almost caricature-like villain, particularly thanks to the series *Drive to Survive* and his role in the 2021 title battle in Abu Dhabi. Many would watch him—and listen to him—just so they can then criticize his opinions.