Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal. ormula 1 World Championship 2025, Round 12, British Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Team boss sees 'no point of closing doors' should Horner approach

19:00, 03 Oct

Updated: 19:51, 03 Oct

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byShayni Solanki

Williams Racing Team Principal James Vowles confirms during the Friday press conference that former Red Bull boss, Christian Horner, did not approach the British team.

During the Friday press conference about Horner's potential return to F1 in 2026, Vowles shut down the question of the former Red Bull boss approaching Williams Racing with a simple "no."

When asked if he would welcome a conversation with Horner, Vowles said: "I think you should always welcome a conversation. There’s no point closing the door.

"But I think we are very happy with the structure we have, and it’s working. So I don’t see any reason to make any changes to that."

Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen followed suit, claiming that conversations between Flavio Briatore and Horner may have taken place, but there is "no truth" in paddock rumours.

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen in Red Bull's garage - Photo: Race Pictures

"This is Formula 1 after all."

- Steve Nielsen

"As far as I know, no," Nielsen said, "but Flavio and Christian are old friends, that’s no secret.

"What they’ve talked about, I don’t know. But everything I see and everything I know, there’s no truth in Christian coming to Alpine.

"But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. This is Formula 1 after all."

There have been rumours floating around the paddock that Horner has approached several teams on the grid, including Haas and Alpine, with Ayao Komatsu confirming that talks were held.

However, talks were "exploratory" according to the Haas Team Principal and did not go any further with the American team.

Horner was sacked from Red Bull in July after 20 years of service, leaving the team with a reported $100 million severance package.

The Briton has been said to be eyeing a return to the F1 paddock in 2026.

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