FORMER Red Bull chief Christian Horner has hinted at a return to motorsport but not necessarily Formula One.
The former CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing was spotted at a MotoGP race over the weekend sparking questions in the F1 world.
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Christian Horner was seen at the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix over the weekend Credit: Getty
He hinted at getting more involved with the sport Credit: Getty
Horner was seen at MotoGP’s Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez – causing speculation that he might be making an imminent return.
The 52-year-old has spent nearly a year away from motorsport after being dismissed by Red Bull last July.
He reportedly spent the final practice session of the weekend in the Honda garage where he was spotted in conversation with Honda Racing Corporation CEO Koji Watanabe.
Honda supplied engines for Red Bull when Max Verstappen won four successive F1 drivers’ championships.
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He was also seen chatting in world champions Ducati’s garage.
When asked about the potential of buying a MotoGP team Horner told the official feed: “I have always been a big fan of MotoGP, and while I’ve got a little bit of time, I thought it was a good opportunity to come down and have a look at the championship.
“Obviously, [MotoGP] is under new ownership now, in common with Formula 1, and it’s great to see the bikes and how they have evolved. I was last at a MotoGP race in Estoril [in Portugal] in 2005, so it’s been a while.“
Unsurprisingly Horner was also interviewed on the grid by TNT Sports ahead of Saturday’s sprint race.
Horner was spotted chatting with the Ducati staff at the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix Credit: Getty
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When pressed again about owning a team he said: “I’ve just come to learn a little bit more while I’ve got some time, just to explore other forms of motorsport.
“I’m liking what I see but there’s always going to be speculation.”
Horner’s cryptic answers about his admiration for the sport raise suggestions that he might be keen on a return.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff recently claimed it will be difficult for Horner to make a Formula One return.
Wolff and Horner developed a fierce rivalry during their time competing against each other.
It escalated in 2021 after Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won his first world title against Mercedes legend Lewis Hamilton in a controversial season finale.
Speaking to the Press Association Wolff said: “He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm.”
However he also added: “I am in two minds about it [Horner returning to F1]. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport.
“I said to Fred Vasseur (Ferrari team principal) that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.”
