Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has told staff the former Red Bull team principal will not be joining the Formula 1 team despite speculation about his motorsport return

View 2 Images

Christian Horner is looking for a way back into F1(Image: PA)

Aston Martin personnel have been informed that rumours linking Christian Horner with a potential move to the Formula 1 outfit are untrue. It is understood that workers at the team’s Silverstone base were briefed earlier this week that, despite widespread speculation suggesting the former Red Bull boss could stage his return next year with Aston Martin, such a switch is “not happening”.

This follows Adrian Newey’s confirmation as the team’s incoming chief from next year, replacing Andy Cowell who will instead concentrate on Aston’s partnership with new engine provider Honda. Lawrence Stroll, the squad’s billionaire owner, informed personnel on Tuesday that the current leadership framework will stay unchanged, ruling out Horner’s inclusion.

Reports had suggested that Horner was given a secret visit of Aston Martin’s facility earlier this week, though the team has refuted this occurred. It is understood that the former Red Bull chief has approached Stroll, alongside various other team owners, regarding a possible future collaboration with the Brit eager to make his F1 comeback next year once his gardening leave concludes.

Whilst Stroll did not rule out further discussions with Horner during his address to personnel, it is evident there is no immediate strategy to create space within the team’s leadership hierarchy for another senior appointment.

Newey now serves as team principal alongside his existing position as managing technical partner, whilst Cowell and Mike Krack, who currently heads Aston Martin’s trackside operations, are two other former TPs who retain significant influence within the organisation.

Newey is attending the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend and observed from the pit wall as Fernando Alonso secured fourth place in Sprint qualifying before converting that into a seventh-place finish, claiming two points. Speaking to Sky Sports, the renowned designer suggested his team principal duties might not be a permanent arrangement.

He explained: “To be perfectly honest, it became very evident that, with the challenge of the ’26 power unit and Andy’s skillset in terms of helping the three-way relationship between Honda, Aramco and ourselves, it is absolutely his skillset. So he very magnanimously volunteered to be heavily involved in that through the first part of ’26.

“That left a kind of, ‘Okay, who’s going to be TP?’ And since I’m going to be doing all the early races anyway, it doesn’t actually particularly change my workload because I’m there anyway so I may as well pick up that bit.”

View 2 Images

Lawrence Stroll has ruled out an approach of Christian Horner any time soon(Image: Getty Images)

Aston Martin is believed to still be in talks with at least one of the external candidates who were initially touted as potential successors for Cowell. Former CEO Martin Whitmarsh quickly dismissed any possibility of a comeback, while Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari boss now heading up the Audi F1 project, is content where he is.

Andreas Seidl, who used to be McLaren team principal, was also considered for the role and currently does not have a position in F1. He’s not expected to join Aston Martin imminently but could be a strong contender if Newey’s tenure proves to be brief.