Aston Martin's Chief Claims Christian Horner Has Been Calling 'Every Team Owner' Across F1 About a Role
The former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been engaged in a concerted effort to stage a comeback to F1, with the Aston Martin team principal, Andy Cowell, asserting that Horner was recently in contact with “pretty much every team owner”.
Exit Agreement Allow Quick Return
Horner parted ways with Red Bull in July and his departure from the team enables him to return in the early part of next year. Aston Martin are seen as a potential destination for Horner, who claimed 14 titles with Red Bull during his 20 years in charge, but Cowell, who is also CEO of the team, insisted they were not interested.
“It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment,” he stated at the Singapore GP. “I can definitely state there are no plans for the engagement of Christian in an management or financial role in the future.”
Eager Comeback After Rocky Departure
Horner is believed to be determined to return to the sport. His time at Red Bull concluded after a 18-month of instability that had commenced when he was faced allegations of “unacceptable actions” by a staff member. Claims which he refuted and for which he was twice exonerated by an external inquiry.
Haas Team Likewise Approached
Before the weekend in Singapore got underway, the Haas boss, Ayao Komatsu, also said Horner reached out with his team. “It is accurate that he approached us,” he said. “One of our team members had an initial discussion and nothing more. Nothing progressed. It is finished.”
Singapore GP Practice See Mixed Outcomes
In practice sessions at the Marina Bay circuit, Fernando Alonso topped the time sheets in the first session, but in the more representative evening second free practice, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was quickest.
His championship competitor Lando Norris, though, labored to minimal gain under the floodlights. He fell behind after suffering nose damage when Charles Leclerc was released into the McLaren in the pits, and could manage only fifth, almost a half a second down on Piastri, making the UK racer frustrated at his performance. “The car is not half-a-second off, my driving is to blame,” he told race engineer Will Joseph.