[Horner] had remained [since his sacking] officially employed by Red Bull as negotiations were held over the terms of his exit, with the Brit still having been owed more than £100m from a contract that had been due to run until the end of 2030.
Red Bull announced on Monday they had reached an agreement for Horner to depart, with Sky Sports F1 understanding that the 51-year-old took a reduced pay-out to ensure he will be allowed to return to the sport as soon as the summer of 2026.
Got an update from Sky News F1 as to where he could go:
Since his sacking, Horner has already been linked with possible returns to F1 as a team principal.
Some thought he might be a viable option to work alongside his friend Flavio Briatore at Alpine, while there was also speculation that F1’s new 2026 entrant Cadillac could look to bring him in to spearhead that project.
The Alpine speculation haven’t gone beyond paddock chatter, while Cadillac chief executive Dan Towriss “shut down” suggestions the American-owned team could be interested in Horner.
[…]
Given the way he was ultimately pushed out at Red Bull, it remains to be seen whether Horner will risk returning to F1 in a position where he is unable to control his own fate.
It’s therefore understood that he could look to become a team owner as well as team boss on his return, with one path to that situation being launching a new team.
F1’s existing regulations allow for 12 teams to be on the grid, but given Horner’s apparent desire to make a swift return, the lengthy process of establishing a new outfit and gaining approval to join the sport wouldn’t necessarily fit his timeline.
Slater said: "Horner still thinks he has a lot to give. He’s only 51. He has money behind him now, some extra money, and I think he wants to get right back up there if he can.
He could have been on a £100m gardening leave until 2030, but decided to want to return to the F1 paddock… as a team owner? Which team would he even be able to buy? Haas?
From Haas F1 Team to Horner F1 Team
Imagine that world.
Ooh, who’s taking him next? Cadillac?
If he were to return, I believe he would rather do it at a team of which he owns stakes, so he cannot be sacked like he did. He could build his own team like Szafnauer is currently trying.
Cadillac already hired the assistant he harassed, so that would seem very unlikely.
