Christian Horner has sparked fresh speculation about a potential move into a new motorsport discipline after making a surprise appearance at the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez this weekend. The former Red Bull team principal, who has been searching for a way back into Formula 1 since his dismissal last year, was spotted in the paddock, engaging with key figures from Honda and Ducati.
Horner's MotoGP Visit
The 52-year-old spent the final practice session in the factory Honda garage, where he was seen in conversation with Honda Racing Corporation CEO Koji Watanabe. He also chatted with officials from reigning champions Ducati. Horner has a strong relationship with Honda, having supplied engines for Red Bull during Max Verstappen's four consecutive drivers' championships.
When asked about a potential team purchase, Horner told MotoGP's 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."
Speaking to TNT Sports on the grid before Saturday's sprint race, Horner added: "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."
F1 Return Challenges
Horner has been linked with positions at Aston Martin and Alpine but remains without a role in F1. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, a former rival, has suggested that Horner's return could be difficult, citing that he has "broken a lot of glass" in the sport. Wolff and Mercedes are exploring a 24 per cent stake in Alpine from private investment firm Otro Capital, a move that could inadvertently block Horner's potential route back.
Wolff commented: "He [Horner] has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things… but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best. Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian. And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not."
MotoGP Prospects
Should Horner pursue involvement in MotoGP, he would join former Haas boss Guenther Steiner, who led a consortium to purchase the Red Bull KTM Tech3 outfit last year. Horner witnessed a dramatic sprint race that began in dry conditions and ended in heavy rain, won by reigning world champion Marc Marquez after a crash. The main Grand Prix takes place on Sunday afternoon.
