Christian Horner may be out of the Formula 1 spotlight, but behind closed doors, he’s locked in a high-stakes financial dispute with Red Bull over his contract termination.
- Current Status: Though absent from the paddock, Horner is still officially employed by Red Bull and on paid leave.
- Contract Details: His deal runs until 2030, reportedly worth £12M per year, equating to a total value of £50M.
- Severance Talks: Horner wants the full payout; Red Bull is only prepared to offer around £25M. Lawyers are actively negotiating.
- Legal Pressure: An employment tribunal in 2026 involving previous misconduct allegations may impact the final settlement figure.
- Reputation Clause: Red Bull is expected to include a clause blocking future salary if Horner rejoins F1 in any capacity.
- What’s Next?: Horner could return to F1 — not as a team boss, but potentially as an owner, following a similar path to Mercedes’ Toto Wolff.
With his Red Bull era essentially over, the final chapter in Horner’s F1 legacy could hinge on a multimillion-pound legal wrangle — or a shock comeback at the ownership table.
