Brandl: There aren't many doors Horner can knock on.

      Martin Brundle, a popular commentator for Sky Sports, said that Christian Horner told him under what conditions he would be willing to return to the paddock.

      The former head of Red Bull Racing, who was removed from all his positions immediately after the British Grand Prix in July, does not rule out that such an opportunity could arise if the green light is given for a 12th team to enter the world championship. But Brundle rules out that development.

      "I think the existing teams and all the other stakeholders in Formula 1 would actively resist that," he said on Sky Sports News. "At the moment they don't want it, because everyone is busy transitioning to the 2026 regulations, and that could become an additional obstacle for Christian.

      But Formula 1 is his life; his entire managerial experience is tied to this championship. When we spoke, he made it absolutely clear that he would only return on the condition that he became a co-owner of a team and had something to build. He will not agree to the managerial role he played at Red Bull.

      Toto Wolff is a good example of that approach, as he owns a third of Mercedes. I'm not surprised that Christian is knocking on every door to find out what options there might be. But there aren't that many doors worth knocking on."

      Brundle also doesn't rule out that Horner might be looking at MotoGP, since the economics of the motorcycle world championship will now also be controlled by Liberty Media, the same corporation that owns the commercial rights to Formula 1.

      "I'm sure he is thinking about MotoGP too," the former driver reflected. "The rights to that championship have now been acquired by the same people who own Formula 1, but I believe his primary interest is F1 and he will try to find a way back. I'm sure partners, sponsors and other people will appear who will want to join Christian in such a project."

      A piece recently appeared in the British tabloid the Daily Mail about rumours linking Horner with Ferrari — allegedly John Elkann, the president of that company, is already in contact with him. Sky Sports News, while partially confirming this, cites Italian sources and emphasizes that the seriousness of such contacts should not be exaggerated.

      Moreover, in Ferrari's case the scenario Horner talks about seems completely unrealistic — i.e., he would not be able to become the owner of any significant stake in that team.