Shock car maker is ‘in talks’ to join F1 as the 12th team with Christian Horner
Christian Horner might be making a comeback to Formula One soon, as there’s talk about a new 12th team joining the race.
After helping Red Bull win eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles, Horner was let go in July 2025 following a tough 18 months that ended with his exit. Things got difficult with some poor race results, uncertainty about Max Verstappen’s future, and an accusation from a female employee, which all led to Horner leaving Red Bull after 20 years.
When Horner left, his contract stopped him from joining any rival team until a non-compete clause ended on May 8. This brought up questions about when and where we might see him back in F1.
Several teams like Aston Martin, Alpine, and Audi have shown interest in Horner. But now, reports suggest his return might happen with a brand-new team—not one currently racing in F1.
Last month, BYD’s vice-president Stella Li said the Chinese car company is thinking about starting an F1 team after meeting Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in Shanghai. She shared, “We stay in close contact. I like Formula 1 because it’s about passion and culture, and many people dream of being part of it.”
BYD is reportedly keen on becoming the 12th team on the F1 grid, following Cadillac joining as the 11th team for 2026. If they do, Horner might lead the project. He’s already had several meetings with Li and is said to have visited her in Cannes, France, where they talked about the exciting possibility of BYD entering Formula 1.
This news comes just days after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he hopes Horner will soon be back in F1. He said, “Who can erase Christian Horner’s name from motorsport and Formula 1? No one can. He’s always been successful. Success sometimes has its enemies, but we miss him in the sport.”
Sulayem also added, “He was great for the teams and the sport. We’d welcome him back anytime. I talk to him regularly, and I feel he’ll be back soon. When that happens, it’ll be like he’s just coming back from a vacation.”