Christian Horner says he has “unfinished business” in F1 and “misses” the sport, but will only come back to win, as he said for the first time since being sacked by Red Bull last year.
The 52-year-old will be eligible to return to the paddock this spring and Alpine revealed last week that he is part of a consortium interested in buying a minority stake in the team.
Horner presided over eight drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ titles during his 20 years as Red Bull team principal.
Speaking at the European Motor Show in Dublin on Saturday, he said: “I feel like there’s unfinished business in F1. It didn’t end the way I wanted it to end.
“But I’m not coming back for anything. I’m only coming back for something that I can win.
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Craig Slater explains why Horner is in talks to buy Alpine shares and what it means
“I don’t want to go back to the paddock unless I have something to do. I miss the sport, I miss the people, I miss the team I built.”
“I have had a great 21 years in F1, had great runs, won many races and championships and worked with some great drivers, engineers and partners.
“I don’t have to go back. I can stop my career now. So I will only go back when I have the right opportunity to work with great people and in an environment where people want to win. And they shared that desire.”
“I want to be a partner, not just an employee, but we’ll see how it goes. I’m in no hurry. I don’t need to do anything.”
Horner is “flattered” by his connections with other teams
Regarding his interest in Alpine and his relationship with Ferrari and Aston Martin, Horner added: “What’s interesting is that this is the first time I’ve actually spoken to someone[since leaving Red Bull].”
“(In the media) I think I went to all the teams from the back of the grid, to the middle of the grid, to the front of the grid.
“It seems like there’s a desire, ‘What should I do? Where should I go?'” The reality is that nothing can be done until spring.
“It’s a great honor to continue to be involved with all of these different teams.”
Toto Wolff and Horner had a big rivalry in F1
“Wolf and I are completely different people.”
Asked about his sometimes tumultuous relationship with Mercedes CEO and co-owner Toto Wolff during his time at Red Bull, Horner said: “A lot of people benefited a lot from my rivalry with him. I have a lot of respect for him.”
“He’s very successful, he’s won a lot of money, he’s very smart.
“We’re all different people, just as competitive and just different. And if everyone was friendly and loved each other, sports would be boring.
“You have to have rivalries to create real interest. The worst thing you can do is have everyone be too nice and get along.”
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