– The motorsport future of former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remains unclear, but the 52-year-old Brit has now further fueled ongoing speculation: Horner was a guest at MotoGP in Jerez last weekend alongside Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
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During free practice on Saturday, the Brit was spotted, among other places, in Honda’s factory garage, where he had an animated conversation with HRC CEO Koji Watanabe. This is hardly surprising, however: even during his time in Formula 1, Horner maintained close ties with Honda’s management.
The Japanese manufacturer helped Red Bull secure a total of four drivers’ titles with Max Verstappen and two constructors’ titles for the team in the 2020s. However, since his dismissal in July 2025, Horner’s future remains unclear. The Brit has never made a secret of his desire to return to Formula 1.
Earlier this year, a move to Alpine was considered the most likely scenario. However, MotoGP could now also be a realistic option, especially after Liberty Media’s acquisition of Dorna Sports last year.
Christian Horner sees “a lot of potential” in MotoGP
“I’ve always been a big MotoGP fan, and since I have some time, I thought it would be a good opportunity to check out the championship,” Horner told the official MotoGP feed. “MotoGP now has new owners, like Formula 1, and it’s great to see how the bikes have evolved.”
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“I was last at a MotoGP race in Estoril in 2005, so it’s been a while. I think it’s a very interesting time for MotoGP. It’s also going through a period of change under new leadership. That’s why I wanted to come here and see for myself.”
“They are great races. It’s a fantastic show. The riders are incredible, and the bikes are incredible,” praised the former Formula 1 team principal. “Only when you see it live do you realize how insane these machines are. I think as a sport, it has so much potential.”
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“Hopefully, the people at Liberty Media, with their Formula 1 experience, can leverage this potential. I know Stefano [Domenicali] is very passionate. I’m here with him today. So, some synergies will emerge.”
Christian Horner potentially joining MotoGP?
Horner would not be the first person to make the switch from Formula 1 to MotoGP. The most prominent example is Massimo Rivola, who, as a former Formula 1 engineer, has also successfully established himself in the Motorcycle World Championship.
Furthermore, the acquisition by Liberty Media is expected to further accelerate this process – particularly in the area of team participations, as the American media company aims to unlock additional value creation potential in MotoGP.
Former Haas team principal Günther Steiner is already banking on such a return: He leads a consortium that acquired the KTM satellite team Tech3 in September. A path that Christian Horner might also take in the near future.
Unlike Formula 1, where each team must develop its own chassis and other listed parts, requiring significant infrastructure investments, independent MotoGP teams can acquire fully built motorcycles from manufacturers and operate on a significantly smaller scale.
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Teams and manufacturers are currently negotiating with Dorna about improved financial conditions as part of the next commercial contract, which is set to come into force in 2027. Then, Christian Horner’s motorsport future could also be decided.
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