According to fresh reports, the Aston Martin F1 team offered former Red Bull boss Christian Horner a leadership role at Silverstone. It is believed that Lawrence Stroll was exploring a potential offer to bring Horner in as a stakeholder and in a senior leadership position, which would have seen him work alongside Adrian Newey once again.

Horner and Newey worked together for close to two decades at Red Bull Racing before the latter departed and subsequently joined Aston Martin in 2025. During that period, Horner served as team principal and CEO, while Newey operated under him as chief designer.

However, at Aston Martin, Newey joined as a stakeholder and Managing Technical Partner, holding significantly greater power and influence within the organization. He was also handed the responsibility of team principal beginning in 2026, replacing Andy Cowell.

In a recent report, Sky Sports’ Craig Slater revealed that Aston Martin approached Horner following his departure from Red Bull in July 2025, offering him a leadership role alongside Newey. He was reportedly also presented with a stakeholding opportunity.

“I think Adrian possibly signalled that ‘I can get on with this fine myself and I don’t need Christian Horner’. We do know that there was an offer made to Christian Horner to take a stakeholding in Aston Martin and to have a leadership role alongside Adrian Newey,” said Slater.

In 2025, it was reported that one of the reasons Newey left Red Bull was a breakdown in his working relationship with Horner toward the end of their stint together. This was around the same time allegations of inappropriate and controlling behavior involving a female employee were leveled at Horner.

However, Slater has also reported that the pair have since reconciled following Newey’s exit from Milton Keynes.

Craig Slater reveals timeline for Christian Horner’s return to F1 with Alpine most likely destination

Craig Slater has revealed that Christian Horner has until September 2026 to strike a deal with Alpine, as he looks to return to the F1 paddock in a stakeholding capacity. The Briton is reportedly eyeing a 24% stake currently held by the Otro Capital consortium, which is up for sale.

Horner, along with his business partners, has until September to complete the deal before the structure of negotiations may change, according to Slater.

“The Alpine situation, Horner has made his approach with his business associates. It’s that Otro Capital stake that is up for sale,” said Slater.

“There is a point in September where the way that is negotiated can change, so possibly it needs to get done, from Horner’s side, by then.” he added.

Alpine has been without a team principal since Oliver Oakes resigned in May 2025. Executive advisor Flavio Briatore has acted as the de facto leader of the team in the interim, while Steve Nielsen joined as Managing Director. It remains to be seen what unfolds with Horner’s attempt to buy a stake in Alpine, and what role he could ultimately assume should a deal materialize.