Christian Horner stepped onto the Silverstone paddock for the first time since his 2023 departure from Red Bull, arriving ahead of the British Grand Prix start at 3pm on Sky Sports F1. The former team principal, who guided Red Bull to eight Drivers' and six Constructors' titles over two decades, said he was “great to be back” as a fan.

Horner took a reduced settlement from an estimated £75m payout, opting for a shorter non‑compete to keep options open. He has spent the past year courting a minority stake in Alpine, currently held by Otro Capital, while also entertaining talks about a potential 12th team with Chinese automaker BYD. The 52‑year‑old insists he will only return if the role offers a genuine chance to win.

At the race, Horner described his time away as a rare break from the “hamster wheel” and reiterated his “unfinished business” in F1. He praised the sport’s surge in popularity and said he remains “no rush” to commit, preferring a project that can deliver championships. His presence adds intrigue to the summer sprint for the fans.