P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Christian Horner has explored a return to F1 with Haas, it has been revealed
Christian Horner has had “exploratory” discussions with Haas about a potential return to F1, as confirmed by team boss Ayao Komatsu. Horner’s future in F1 is a major topic as the 2025 season nears its end, following his Red Bull departure and being replaced by Laurent Mekies. Having left Red Bull officially in September, the 51-year-old is evaluating options for a comeback in 2026, with a reported desire for a significant role akin to Toto Wolff’s authority in the sport, possibly involving a shareholding or ownership. Apart from Haas, Horner’s potential options include Aston Martin and Alpine, with discussions at an initial stage with Haas, according to Komatsu. Despite Haas owner Gene Haas hesitating to sell the team and their lack of podiums since 2016, the team has shown improvement under Komatsu’s leadership, forming a technical partnership with Toyota. The flexibility in Horner’s decision-making is evident, as he also has connections with Alpine and Aston Martin, indicating that his return could be complex due to his ambitions for more control in his role.
