Mekies faces a raft of challenges after taking on Horner\u2019s role, with Red Bull slipping to fourth in the constructors\u2019 standings and Max Verstappen<\/a> no longer being in contention to win a fifth drivers\u2019 championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although Red Bull had trouble recruiting staff in Horner\u2019s final years<\/a> at the helm, the success he enjoyed can\u2019t be overlooked.<\/p>\n CHRISTIAN HORNER\u2019S RECORD AS RED BULL F1 TEAM PRINCIPALGrands Prix entered406Wins124Podiums287Pole positions107Points8,009Drivers\u2019 championships8 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)Constructors\u2019 championships6 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023)<\/p>\n Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel won four championships each, and the team secured six constructors\u2019 titles thanks to the efforts of the likes of Adrian Newey, Helmut Marko and Jonathan Wheatley behind the scenes.<\/p>\n However, since Horner\u2019s exit following the British Grand Prix, he\u2019s already been linked with a possible return to Formula 1.<\/p>\n Journalist and Dutch commentator Nelson Valkenburg believes that there are only two \u2018viable\u2019 teams that Horner could possibly consider working with in the future.<\/p>\n READ MORE: All to know about sacked Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth<\/a><\/p>\n Valkenburg was speaking on the Nailing The Apex Podcast about Horner\u2019s future and explained: \u201cThe first question is, why would you need a gardening leave? For high-placed technical personnel, I could understand it, but, in his position, I do think the announcement this week was all about the legal process.<\/p>\n \u201cI do think he\u2019s going to turn up at either Alpine or Cadillac; those are the only viable options for him.<\/p>\n \u201cIf, indeed, he wants a return, because he has been bruised. It does feel like he\u2019s been hurt by the whole process.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, we also know there is ambition there. Ambition to be not only a team boss, but a team owner. And the big question is, where does he have the easiest option to do that, if indeed he wants a return?<\/p>\n \u201cI think the easiest would probably be Alpine, but is that a place you really want to be right now?<\/p>\n \u201cSo, maybe, at Cadillac, at least with him, the connection [between] Perez and Horner would be very interesting for them to be reunited, I don\u2019t know how Valtteri Bottas would feel about that one!\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage<\/a><\/p>\n Christian Horner would be taking on Formula 1\u2019s biggest challenges with Alpine or Cadillac roles<\/p>\n Red Bull have now permanently parted ways with Horner<\/a>, as he\u2019s no longer a director of the company.<\/p>\n This allows him to take as much time as he needs to explore his next opportunity in the sport and whether he wants to come back to Formula 1.<\/p>\n![\"Christian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-2222624187-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Mark Thompson\/Getty ImagesChristian Horner\u2019s only \u2018viable options\u2019 in F1 are Alpine and Cadillac after Red Bull exit <\/p>\n