Jeremy Clarkson has publicly expressed his support for Christian Horner following the Formula 1 team principal’s surprising exit from Red Bull Racing. As a longtime F1 enthusiast and close friend of Horner, Clarkson shared a heartfelt message he sent to Horner during this challenging time and weighed in on the racing veteran’s potential next move.
Christian Horner, who has been married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner since 2015, has overseen Red Bull’s Formula 1 team for more than 20 years. Under his guidance, Red Bull transformed from a newcomer into a dominant force, clinching eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles. His leadership has been integral to the team’s success since Red Bull first entered the sport.
However, following disappointing results at the Austrian and British Grands Prix, Horner’s position became untenable. Last week, Red Bull announced Horner’s removal from his roles as both team principal and chief executive, placing him on gardening leave. The news sent shockwaves through the F1 community.
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Clarkson, no stranger to sudden career shifts himself after parting ways with the BBC’s Top Gear in 2015, empathizes with Horner’s situation. In his column for The Sun, Clarkson recounted spending time with Horner at the Grand Prix, observing that Horner seemed unaware of the impending decision. During their conversation, which also touched on Horner’s personal challenges — including supporting his 11-year-old daughter Olivia after the loss of her mother to eye cancer — Clarkson offered words of encouragement.
He texted Horner, sharing his own experience of unexpected dismissal, saying, “When you wake the following morning, it’s easy to think, ‘Well, that’s that, then.’ But in my case, it wasn’t the end. I hadn’t trodden on a snake — I’d trodden on a ladder. And I bet he does, too.”
Looking ahead, Clarkson speculated on where Horner might land next. Rumors involve Alpine, which will use Mercedes engines next season, potentially placing Horner at odds with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Clarkson doubts that pairing would work, given their reported strained relationship. Ferrari is another possibility, though relocating to Italy and managing the complex dynamics involving Sir Lewis Hamilton could be challenging.
Clarkson also mentioned the upcoming entries of Audi and Cadillac into F1, as well as potential Chinese interest, all of whom might be eager to recruit a figure of Horner’s caliber.
Ultimately, Clarkson reminds us that a career shift can lead to unexpected new paths. Drawing from his own transition from television to farming, Clarkson joked that Horner might one day become an astronaut, an ice-cream vendor, or even a politician.
Whatever the future holds, Clarkson’s message is clear: a setback can be the start of something new and exciting.