Yesterday at 12:00
Former Red Bull F1 driver Robert Doornbos has backed Christian
Horner to make a comeback to the sport with a shareholding role.
Red Bull announced last month it had parted ways with Horner,
ending the Briton's 20-year stint in the team principal position.
Laurent Mekies was named as Horner's successor, commencing a new
era for the squad under fresh leadership. But as Horner sits as one
of the most successful figures in the sport's history, the
51-year-old is widely expected to make a return - a situation
backed by Doornbos. "Knowing Christian, yes," Doornbos told with
Motorsport.com when asked if he expects to see Horner in the F1
paddock again. "Let's not forget, he's incredibly young. He already
has 20 years of experience, but he's still only 51. "20 years of
experience as an F1 team principal and CEO of one of the world's
largest brands, in both automotive and marketing - his successes
speak for themselves." Doornbos has suggested Horner could look to
have a team ownership role as well as having day-to-day involvement
in the team, akin to Toto Wolff's position at Mercedes. "That was
the only thing missing," he said. "What Lawrence Stroll [at Aston
Martin] or Toto Wolff have. You simply want to be a shareholder."
The Dutchman highlighted one team who could provide Horner the
opportunity to obtain such a position. "Only Alpine, if I go down
the list," Doornbos stated. "That would be a team that, at some
point, is in such dire straits and says, 'We're at a loss'.
"Flavio [Briatore] isn't going to do it forever. Christian [could]
say, 'I like a project like that, I'll take it on, and I want
shares, then we'll make it a huge success again'. "There are also
bright minds there who have been successful in the past."
