Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Josh Lawless
Christian Horner has issued a statement on a potential return to Formula One and laid out the terms of which he would come back to the sport.
Horner was sacked by Red Bull in July after the British Grand Prix - ending an incredibly successful 20-year tenure as team principal where he oversaw eight drivers’ and six constructors’ titles.
His dismissal, officially administered in September, came 18 months after allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" from a female colleague.
Horner denied all accusations and two internal investigations cleared him. Replaced by Laurent Mekies, the 52-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to the sport with a number of teams and fans have been waiting for Horner's stance.
Advert
And during an appearance at the European Motor Show in Dublin, he admitted that he does feel as though there is "unfinished business" in the paddock.
However, while he said he misses the sport, Horner did also state that he would only return for a winning project and is "not in a rush".
"I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula One," Horner said, as per 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.".
Horner continued: "I don’t want to go back in the paddock unless I have something to do. I miss the sport, I miss the people, I miss the team that I built. I had 21 incredible years in Formula One. 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."
According to the BBC, Horner received reported a whopping £52 million payout for his departure as it came five years before his contract was due to expire.
F1 journalist Pedro Fermin Flores reported earlier this month that Horner has held talks over becoming the new team principal of Alpine - as well as taking a stake in the team.
Apine have since released a statement confirming that Horner is involved in a group of investors looking to purchase Otro Capital’s stake in the team.
Horner has embarked on a stint of speaking shows and will head over to Australia for a tour - with shows in Melbourne on February 24, Sydney on February 26 and Perth on March 2.