Aston Martin Boss States Christian Horner Is Contacting 'Every Team Owner' in Formula One About a Role
Ex- Red Bull leader Christian Horner is reportedly engaged in a focused campaign to secure a position to Formula One, with the Aston Martin team principal, Andy Cowell, claiming that Horner has lately been in contact with “almost every team owner”.
Exit Agreement Permit Early Return
Horner was dismissed by Red Bull in July and his departure from the team allows him to return in the early part of next year. Aston Martin are considered a likely home 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 calling nearly every team owner at the moment,” he said at the Singapore GP. “I can definitely state there are no arrangements for the participation of Christian in an operational or investment role in the future.”
Determined Return Following Turbulent Exit
Horner is believed to be keen to rejoin the sport. His period at Red Bull concluded after a 18-month of instability that had commenced when he was was alleged to have engaged in “improper conduct” by a woman coworker. Allegations which he disputed and for which he was found not guilty twice by an third-party review.
Haas Team Also Approached
Ahead of the Grand Prix in Singapore began, the Haas team principal, Ayao Komatsu, confirmed Horner had contacted them with his team. “It is accurate that he approached us,” he noted. “One of our guys had an preliminary chat and that’s it. Nothing has gone any further. It is finished.”
Singapore GP Sessions See Varied Outcomes
In practice at the Marina Bay track, Fernando Alonso topped the leaderboard in the first session, but in the truer-to-life evening second free practice, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was the pace-setter.
His championship competitor Lando Norris, though, labored to little effect under the lights. He lost time after taking nose damage when Charles Leclerc was released into the McLaren in the pit lane, and could manage only fifth, nearly a 0.5 seconds down on Piastri, making the British driver disappointed at his performance. “The car isn't half-a-second off, my driving is the issue,” he told race engineer Will Joseph.
