Aston Martin Block Christian Horner’s Formula 1 Return With Major Move

Aston Martin have handed Christian Horner a major blow as the Red Bull chief plans his return to Formula One.

In a shock announcement back in July, Red Bull Racing confirmed that they had parted ways with team principal Horner after more than 20 years working together, while former Racing Bulls chief Laurent Mekies would be promoted to replace him.

Although it is ultimately unknown exactly what led to the decision to sack Horner, it is believed that Red Bull's performances at the start of the season, the chaos surrounding Liam Lawson losing his seat and uncertainty around the future of Max Verstappen all played a part.

Since then, the Englishman has been strongly linked with a quick return to Formula One as a number of teams are said to be interested in appointing him, with Aston Martin seemingly the most likely candidate.

However, Horner's hopes of joining Aston Martin in the near future have been ruined after the F1 team announced a major shakeup in their leadership for the 2026 season.

Horner has been linked with a return to F1. (Image: Getty)

In September 2024 it was confirmed that Adrian Newey, Red Bull's ledgendary car designer, would be leaving the team to join Aston Martin from March this year.

Following Horner's dismissal at Red Bull, many assumed that he would follow Newey to Aston Martin and become team principal having worked with his fellow Brit for nearly two decades from 2006 until 2024.

But now, Aston Martin have announced that it will be Newey himself that will take on the role of team principal, with current boss Andy Cowell stepping back to take another role within the team.

Newey will take on his new role from 2026, a season which is expected to cause major shakeups across the F1 grid, while Cowell will become the Chief Strategy Officer for Aston Martin.

"Over the last nine months, I have seen great individual talent within our team," said Newey.

"I'm looking forward to taking on this additional role as we put ourselves in the best possible position to compete in 2026, where we will face an entirely new position with Aston Martin now a works team combined with the considerable challenge faced by the new regulations.

"Andy's new role, focusing on the integration of the new PU with our three key partners, will be pivotal in this journey."

Adrian Newey will become Aston Martin's team principal in 2026. (Image: Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

According to a report from BBC Sport, the decision to make the major change in their leadership for the 2026 campaign comes following disagreements between the Newey and Cowell over the running of the team and design of next year's car.

It also adds that Newey's appointment as team principal was the logical choice after he became the the de facto authority in the team following his arrival in March after winning 12 drivers' and 13 constructors' championships with Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

The decision leaves the future of Horner unclear but there is no dount that he will continue to pursue a return to Formula One next season, with the likes of Ferrari and new team Cadillac among his potential options.