Christian Horner makes first step towards F1 return as team boss admits contact made

Former Red Bull Formula 1 chief Christian Horner has made contact with Haas about a potential return to the sport. Ayao Komatsu, the team principal of the American outfit, confirmed that Horner has reached out since formalising his departure from Red Bull.

Horner, who led Red Bull for two decades, was axed as team principal and chief executive in July and officially departed last month after agreeing to a settlement believed to be around £80million. This agreement is believed to also permit him to make a comeback to F1 with another team in the first half of the 2026 season.

It's understood that the 51-year-old is eager to not spend too long on the sidelines. He has largely kept a low profile since, choosing to spend more time with his Spice Girl singer wife Geri Halliwell including a recent trip to Scotland, but it seems he has also been making some advances behind the scenes.

Haas was immediately suggested as one of the potential destinations for Horner, with the prospect of taking a small team and turning it into a success appealing to him. An investment in the American team could provide Horner with the authority he seeks for his next venture, with the Brit not interested in anything less than complete control.

Ahead of this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, Komatsu was questioned about Horner's potential interest in the team. He openly confirmed to reporters that the former Red Bull boss had indeed been in touch with a senior figure at Haas.

The Japanese team principal stated: "It is true that he approached us and one of our guys had an exploratory, let's say, talk. But that was it. Nothing is going any further. I have got nothing more to say on that one."

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Horner has a tough task ahead if he hopes to persuade current owner Gene Haas to part with any shares of the team. Despite numerous offers over recent years, the American tycoon remains adamant that he has no interest in selling.

Komatsu recently revealed that the constant enquiries from potential buyers have become a source of annoyance for the 72-year-old, who was believed to be frustrated over the level of investment he had to make in years gone by, but who has since found more joy in his ownership of the F1 outfit.

Komatsu said: "I don't know everything, but in the last 18 months he's had numerous offers to buy the team. He's not interested. He really enjoys being the owner of the F1 team. Currently one out of 10, from next year one out of 11. That's such a privileged position to be in. He came in at a time when F1 wasn't like this. He stuck with us during such a difficult period of Covid. Now he's enjoying it.

"Honestly, Gene is so committed... He is enjoying it, that is the main thing. We are grateful that we have such a passionate owner, so committed. He's not interested in selling at all. I can tell you recently I had some people really pushing to buy it, [Gene] is not interested. He got even annoyed that these guys are asking so many times."