Christian Horner gives his outspoken views on 'cheating' F1 teams

Christian Horner has reflected on his career and spoken about his future in Formula One ahead of the 2026 season, which sees Horner absent from the F1 paddock. Horner also addresses claims of F1 teams 'cheating like wildcats' ahead of the 2026 season.

Horner led Red Bull since the team's inception in 2005, and was forced to exit the Milton Keynes based outfit in summer last year. Under Horner's leadership, Red Bull won both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships, with Sebastian Vettel from 2010-2013 and Max Verstappen from 2021-2024. However, the Brit is currently absent from the F1 paddock, despite wanting to return.

Horner stated: "I've had 6 months out of the business now, it's been a new experience. I've been on the road for pretty much 30 years with Formula One. It's given me a bit of time to reflect on my career and what I did for the last 21 years at Red Bull, it's been an interesting time."

He continued: "I miss the team spirit, I miss the people, it was a team that I worked very hard to build up, so I obviously miss that element of working with some incredible people, the men and women behind the scenes, we achieved some incredible things that I'm very proud of, but nothing's forever, and who knows what comes next."

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

Read also

Mercedes could break F1 record held by Ferrari in 2026

Wolff singles out the best aspect of new F1 2026 regulations

Verstappen provides crucial details about his future in F1 after retirement

At Red Bull, Horner worked closely with several star drivers like Vettel, Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, Mark Webber, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly, among others. Horner also managed to attract legendary F1 designer, Adrian Newey, in 2006. This partnership led to eight Drivers' championships and six Constructors' championships.

Speaking about his future in F1, Horner said: "So far I've been going to pretty much every team on the grid. I've spoken very little publicly since I left Red Bull, so it's flattering that there's speculation, that I'm going to this team or that team, but that's rife in Formula One. I'd only come back for the right opportunity, working with the right people that are like-minded and want to win. I've got no interest in just taking part."

Horner added that he would like to return in a different role to the competition. "We'll see, the interest in the sport is sky-high, there's some fantastic people that want to invest in Formula One, but I'm in no rush. If my career stops at the end of my time with Red Bull, I've had an incredible run. I'd only come back for something that was genuinely exciting and something that could ultimately win."

'Pushing the boundaries' - Horner addresses 2026 technical regulations

Horner also weighed in on allegations that certain teams on the grid are 'cheating like wildcats' with the 2026 technical regulations.

Horner stated: "Formula One is about pushing the boundaries, it's about how you interpret regulations, always has been and always will be. Teams that are the most conservative, are never at the front of the grid. You've got to be pushing the envelope. Some of the brightest engineers on the planet will be looking at those regulations and thinking 'okay, how can I maximise performance."