Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos believes it is unlikely that Christian Horner will take a role with the FIA upon his return to F1.<\/p>\n
It comes after Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss and Horner\u2019s long-term adversary, quipped that he would be \u201creally in the s**t\u201d if the former Red Bull team principal joins F1\u2019s governing body.<\/p>\n
Former Red Bull driver: Christian Horner unlikely to return in FIA role<\/p>\n
Horner was sacked by Red Bull last month after more than 20 years in charge with Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies installed as his replacement as chief executive and team principal.<\/p>\n
The 51-year-old stands as one of the most successful team bosses in F1 history having led Red Bull to six Constructors\u2019 titles and eight Drivers\u2019 championships \u2013 split evenly between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen \u2013 since his appointment in 2005.<\/p>\n
PlanetF1.com revealed earlier this month that Horner has been removed<\/a> as a director of both Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology Limited, officially bringing his tenure to an end.<\/p>\n Toto Wolff now the longest-serving F1 boss after Christian Horner exit<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0F1 team principals: How long has each team boss been in charge?<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0How to become an F1 driver: Money, dedication, talent and more<\/a><\/p>\n It is widely expected that Horner\u2019s return to the paddock is a matter of when, not if, most likely in a team-ownership-style role similar to that held by Wolff, who owns a third of the Mercedes squad.<\/p>\n Horner was previously regarded as a potential successor to Bernie Ecclestone as Formula 1 chief executive, a role currently held by former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the FIA presidential elections will be held later this year with current incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem thought likely to secure a second term in office, having been appointed president in 2021.<\/p>\n Doornbos made three appearances for Red Bull at the end of the 2006 season before becoming an F1 pundit in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n And he believes Horner would prefer a team-based role over a position with the FIA when he eventually commits to an F1 comeback.<\/p>\n He told the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com: \u201cI don\u2019t see him returning to a role at the FIA. I can see him giving it another go as team boss, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Doornbos\u2019s comments come after Wolff admitted that he would be \u201creally in the s**t\u201d if Horner were to take up a senior position with F1\u2019s governing body.<\/p>\n Horner and Wolff were embroiled in a bitter rivalry over the course of the 2021 season as their respective drivers, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, fought for the title.<\/p>\n That year ended with Verstappen claiming the first of four consecutive World Championships as Hamilton was denied a record eighth title in highly controversial circumstances at the infamous decider in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n Speaking at last month\u2019s Belgian Grand Prix, the first race held following Horner\u2019s dismissal by Red Bull, Wolff joked that he would be in big trouble<\/a> if Horner were to join the FIA.<\/p>\n Asked where Horner could end up next, Wolff told Sky F1:\u00a0\u201cI need to be careful.<\/p>\n \u201cHe could be rocking up in the FIA and then I\u2019m really in the s**t. You never know.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was somebody that was controversial, that was polarising and not softwashed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was good from the entertainment factor and, from that perspective, he\u2019s clearly going to be missed. His track record speaks for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n Wolff recently offered a less flattering assessment of Horner<\/a>, claiming that he \u201cbehaved like an a**hole\u201d for most of his Red Bull tenure and operated to a different set of standards to his rival team principals.<\/p>\n However, the Mercedes boss conceded that F1 has lost one of its \u201cmain characters\u201d with the departure of Horner.<\/p>\n