F1 boss Toto Wolff fearful Red Bull boss could come back to haunt him

Toto Wolff and Christian Horner — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Toto Wolff fearful Red Bull boss could come back to haunt him

Toto Wolff has responded to Christian Horner's exit

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Tuesday 29 July 2025 19:00

Toto Wolff discussed Christian Horner's shock exit from Red Bull at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, a couple of weeks removed from the 51-year-old's surprise axe.

The pair have been bitter rivals in the sport for over a decade, with one or both of their teams almost always competing for a world championship.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 on Friday at the Belgian GP, Wolff was asked if he would miss Horner and joked about the 51-year-old making a return with the FIA.

Article continues under video

“In a way yes. He was one of the main cast. First of all, I don’t think he’s gone forever, I think he’s gonna pop up in some kind of other fashion,” he said.

“I need to be careful, he could be rocking up in the FIA and then I’m really in the s***. You never know.

Will Horner return to F1?

Sky Sports have also reported that Horner will serve a period of gardening leave following his Red Bull exit, which means an F1 comeback is only on the cards as early as January 2026.

Prior to his departure, Horner was linked to Ferrari should the team decide to part ways with Fred Vasseur.

Another likely destination for Horner is Alpine, where close F1 ally Flavio Briatore currently serves at the helm of the struggling team - who are currently last in the drivers' standings.

The Enstone-based outfit parted ways with their team principal Oliver Oakes in May, after the 37-year-old stepped down with immediate effect. Should Braitore want to take a step back from the day-to-day running of Alpine, Horner could be the perfect candidate to turn the team's performances around.

NASCAR Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Christian Horner FIA Toto Wolff