‘Broken quite a lot of glass’, Wolff downplays blocking Christian Horner’s F1 return but gives warning

Christian Horner’s potential return to Formula 1 has been thrown into doubt after his former pit-lane rival, Toto Wolff, downplayed suggestions of blocking a comeback while claiming the ex-Red Bull boss had “broken quite a lot of glass” prior to his dismissal last year.

Horner, who had overseen the Red Bull Racing team since its takeover of Jaguar in 2005—leading it to eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships—was sacked as Team Principal and CEO following the British Grand Prix in 2025.

His departure came after more than twelve months of intense speculation surrounding his position within the team, triggered by a high-profile scandal involving allegations from a female colleague of inappropriate and controlling behaviour. This period also coincided with a downturn in Red Bull’s on-track performance, with McLaren securing back-to-back Constructors’ Championships in 2024 and 2025, while a revolving cast of secondary drivers failed to consistently support Max Verstappen.

Although Horner was formally cleared of the allegations, Mercedes team principal Wolff alluded to lasting “repercussions” from the Briton’s actions when speaking to the Press Association.

“He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things… but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best.

“Us looking at that stake [24% shares in Alpine that are for sale] is in no connection with Christian. And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration in making such an investment.

“We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven’t come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense.”

The stake Wolff referenced relates to the 24% shareholding in Alpine—currently held by Otro Capital, a celebrity-led consortium that includes figures such as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Horner has reportedly explored the possibility of acquiring that share through his own consortium.

Wolff also offered a broader reflection on Horner’s potential return to the sport:

“I am in two minds about it. The sport is missing personalities, and his personality was clearly very controversial—and that is good for the sport.

“I said to [Ferrari team principal] Fred Vasseur that it needs ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly.’ Now it’s only the good and the ugly left—the bad is gone.

“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone who shares objectives? I don’t think so.

“But even when I had the biggest frustration and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend—so there must be some goodness.

“If there wasn’t that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if more time had passed, I’m sure we could have shared dinner and had a laugh.

“But over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he did them.

“I don’t know if he is finding his way back, and in which function. I certainly don’t wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit—there are not many team principals who have achieved what he has.

“Whatever happens, whether he comes back to Formula 1 or not, I am at ease with it.”

Horner himself, who has claimed he has “unfinished business” in Formula 1, has also been linked with a potential role at Aston Martin, where his former ally and design guru Adrian Newey is currently Team Principal. However, it is widely expected that Horner’s former deputy, Jonathan Wheatley, is the leading candidate for that position.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade. Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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