Christian Horner quizzed over plans to buy MotoGP team after $4.2bn takeover

Christian Horner could soon put his Red Bull payoff money to good use following a surprise appearance in the MotoGP paddock.

The 52-year-old set tongues wagging with his arrival in Jerez on Saturday alongside Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali.

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The Englishman has been out of work since he was sacked by Red Bull Racing two days after the 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Horner, who is married to Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell, was contracted to the end of 2030 but given the boot midway through last season.

As a result, he secured a hefty settlement that is thought to have ranged from anywhere between £52million and £80m.

Horner has been strongly linked with a return to F1 in recent months and was among the interested parties in buying a stake in Alpine.

However, the ex-Red Bull team principal could instead be switching lanes to join the flurry of F1 figures investing in MotoGP.

Christian Horner responds to MotoGP takeover rumours

Owners Liberty Media completed a 86 per cent takeover of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 2024 in a deal valued at £3.2billion ($4.2bn).

Lewis Hamilton attemped to buy a MotoGP team, with Drive to Survive favourite Guenther Steiner taking over as CEO of Tech3.

The latter’s former fellow team principal, Horner, has now been in the paddock at the Spanish Grand Prix alongside F1 CEO Domenicali.

Asked whether he was interested in buying a MotoGP team, Horner told MotoGP’s official feed: “I have always been a big fan of MotoGP, and while I’ve got a little bit of time, I thought it was a good opportunity to come down and have a look at the championship.

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“Obviously, [MotoGP] is under new ownership now, in common with Formula 1, and it’s great to see the bikes and how they have evolved.

“I was last at a MotoGP race in Estoril in 2005, so it’s been a while.

“I think it’s a really interesting time for MotoGP. It’s going through a period of change under new ownership as well. So, I wanted to come here and see a little bit for myself. 

“It’s great racing. It’s a great show. The riders are incredible and the bikes are incredible. It’s only when you get to see it live that you appreciate how insane these machines are.

“I think as a sport, it has so much to offer. So, hopefully, the Liberty guys, with the experience they have in Formula 1, will be able to lean into that.

“I know Stefano is very passionate. I’m here with him today. So, there’s going to be some synergies there.”