Zak Brown backs Christian Horner for Formula 1 return

The landscape of Formula 1 leadership is never static, and according to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, one of the sport's most prominent former figures may soon be making a comeback. Despite their history as fierce adversaries—a rivalry that intensified as McLaren challenged and eventually dismantled Red Bull’s dominance in 2024—Brown insists that the return of Christian Horner would be a positive development for the sport.

The Alpine equation

While Brown has maintained a firm stance against the complexities of multi-team ownership—specifically expressing reservations about his own power unit supplier, Mercedes, acquiring a stake in a rival team—he views the prospect of Horner’s return through a different lens.

A respect for talent

Reflecting on the potential for Horner to secure that minority share and re-enter the paddock, Brown offered a pragmatic assessment of his former rival’s capabilities.

“Christian was a great personality for the sport,” Brown stated. “Sport always has great personalities that come and go. I think it'd be great to have Christian back in the sport. He's a great operator. His track record speaks for itself.”

While Brown jokingly noted that he would personally prefer to compete against “10 weak team principals,” he acknowledged the reality of the current competitive environment and the influx of talent into the sport.

“There's been a lot of team principal moves here in the last two to three years, but I think it'd be great to have him back in the sport,” he added. “And I'm sure, given his passion for the sport and his age, I'd be shocked if he wasn't back in the sport, whether it was with Alpine or someone else.”