Christian Horner makes surprise MotoGP paddock appearance with F1 chief Stefano Domenicali

Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner turned up in the MotoGP paddock at Jerez on Saturday, alongside Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali. The surprise visit gave Horner a chance to see the sport under its new Liberty Media ownership and sparked fresh speculation about his next move in motorsport.

Why it matters:

• Horner’s high‑profile exit and $100 million settlement free him to explore senior roles, and his appearance hints at potential F1‑MotoGP collaboration under Liberty Media.

The details:

• Red Bull sacked Horner after the 2024 British Grand Prix, ending a 22‑year run; he later settled for roughly $100 million (£73.8 m/€85.3 m).
• Alpine confirmed Horner is among investors eyeing the 24 % Otro Capital stake, while reports tie him to a CEO‑type role at Aston Martin, where Adrian Newey is team principal.
• In Jerez Horner met Honda Racing president Koji Watanabe, praised MotoGP’s evolution under Liberty Media and hinted at “synergies” between the championships.

What's next:

• If Aston Martin offers a senior post, Horner could shape the team’s commercial and technical direction ahead of the 2026 regulation era, while Liberty Media may explore joint F1‑MotoGP projects.