F1 is expected to turn down the twelfth team proposal led by Horner.

      "Horner seeks involvement in creating something"

      Christian Horner's extended legal confrontation with the former Red Bull employee who accused him of misconduct has been resolved, removing the last hurdle in his anticipated Formula 1 return. As reported by De Telegraaf, the case has been dismissed following a multi-million-euro settlement between Horner and the woman whose allegations sparked months of controversy and ultimately led to his departure from the team.

      She has since secured a new position at Cadillac, while Horner - now free from all contractual obligations - is believed to have received nearly 100 million in his exit from Red Bull. This settlement allows him to explore new opportunities starting mid-2026, and he is already considering options that are familiar within the F1 paddock.

      Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle disclosed in Singapore that he has been in direct communication with Horner, who is already strategizing his next steps. "Formula 1 is his life - that’s where his skills and experience lie," Brundle remarked. "He made it clear to me in conversation that he will only return if he has something to lose."

      Horner's ambitions seem to go well beyond the typical team principal role. He reportedly desires ownership or significant influence - akin to Toto Wolff’s partial stake at Mercedes. "Horner wants to be engaged in building something, not merely managing it," Brundle noted. "He seeks considerable powers and influence."

      The Briton has allegedly looked into options ranging from acquiring a share in an existing team to establishing an entirely new one, though current F1 stakeholders are strongly against bringing in a twelfth entry. "Present teams and stakeholders are likely to exert considerable pressure on the FIA to express their opposition to adding a twelfth team at this time," Brundle observed. Nonetheless, he considers Horner’s return in some capacity to be "quite realistic."