Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Christian Horner, Motorsport, Red Bull Racing
Ben McCrum
Christian Horner could finally be set to return to the Formula One grid in the most ambitious role of his career.
After more than 20 years working together, Red Bull announced that they had parted ways with team principal Horner in a shock announcement in July.
The 51-year-old led the Milton Keynes-based team to six constructors' championships and eight drivers' world titles during his time there but was replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies.
Since Horner's dismissal, the Englishman has been strongly linked with a quick return to the sport, with several different teams said to be interested in bringing him in as their new boss.
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But now, Horner has been linked with a huge new role that nobody would have even considered would be possible.
Following Red Bull''s decision to sack Horner as team principal, he continued at the team until last month when he received a $100million (£74.56m) settlement that would allow him to pursue a future in the sport elsewhere.
Ferrari, Cadillac and Haas have all been linked with the former Red Bull boss but, according to The Race, Horner may now be considering continuing his F1 career alone and setting up a 12th team.
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As part of his severance deal with Red Bull, Horner agreed that he would not return to F1 until the first half of next year, sparking speculation that he would join Cadillac as they join the grid as the new 11th team.
However, if he were to wait it out and return as the leader of a bran new 12th team, it is likely that Horner would have to wait until at least 2027 to make his return to the grid.
It has widely been reported that Horner has made it clear that any future role he takes must give him full control over a squad, meaning he doesn't want to simply be a team principal who is beholden to seniors at the team.
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With that in mind, it would make sense if Horner would create his own team and install himself at the very top.
And with reports suggesting that there are several investors that are prepared to back any project that Horner attaches himself too, it's completely feasible that he could afford to make his own team or even look into buying a current team.