Aston Martin Boss States Horner Has Been Calling 'Every Team Owner' in Formula One About a Role
The former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been engaged in a determined push to secure a position to Formula One, with the Aston Martin chief, Andy Cowell, claiming that Horner had recently been in contact with “nearly every team owner”.
Settlement Terms Allow Quick Return
Horner was dismissed by Red Bull in July and his departure from the team enables 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, maintained they were not pursuing him.
“It appears that Christian is calling pretty much every team owner at the moment,” he said at the Singapore GP. “I can clearly say there are no plans for the participation of Christian in an management or investment role in the future.”
Determined Comeback Following Turbulent Departure
Horner is believed to be determined to rejoin the sport. His tenure at Red Bull wrapped up after a 18-month of instability that had begun when he was was alleged to have engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” by a woman coworker. Claims which he disputed and for which he was cleared two times by an external inquiry.
Haas Team Also Contacted
Ahead of the Grand Prix in Singapore began, the Haas boss, Ayao Komatsu, confirmed Horner reached out with his team. “It is true that he approached us,” he remarked. “One of our guys had an initial discussion and that’s it. Nothing progressed. It is over.”
Singapore GP Practice See Mixed Results
In practice sessions at the Marina Bay track, Fernando Alonso led the time sheets in the initial practice, but in the truer-to-life evening second free practice, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was the pace-setter.
His title rival Lando Norris, however, toiled to little effect under the floodlights. He dropped back after taking front wing damage when Charles Leclerc pulled out into the McLaren in the pit lane, and could manage only fifth, almost a 0.5 seconds down on Piastri, leaving the UK racer disappointed at his performance. “The car isn't 0.5 seconds slower, my driving is,” he told race engineer Will Joseph.
