Mohammed Ben Sulayem hints Christian Horner already has Formula 1 comeback lined up

The former Red Bull team principal made his first paddock appearance since his dismissal at the British Grand Prix, arriving at Silverstone on Sunday before heading to the Formula 1 hospitality suite with Netflix cameras following his every move. Horner later met Ben Sulayem in the FIA motorhome.

Asked by reporters whether he wanted to see Horner back in Formula 1, Ben Sulayem left little room for doubt. He replied: "Yes."

Pressed on whether such a comeback was likely, the FIA president appeared to reveal more than perhaps intended: "He will get back. Where is not for me to say... even if I know. It is for him to say."

The remark immediately fuells fresh speculation that Horner already has his next destination lined up after his Red Bull garden leave expired earlier this year.

Horner was dismissed as Red Bull CEO and team principal just 48 hours after last year's British Grand Prix, ending a hugely successful two-decade spell in charge. During his tenure, Red Bull claimed eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles.

Horner's final 18 months at the team were overshadowed by allegations of controlling behaviour made by a female colleague. Horner consistently denied the claims and was twice cleared following internal investigations.

Ben Sulayem argued that results ultimately remain the deciding factor when teams evaluate senior leadership: "I am a believer that when you have a team, you have to forget about what this person is doing, his personality; do you want the result or not?

"You look at his background. Please. Everybody makes mistakes, but did he deliver? What do you want? Do you want to win or not? Do you want to give it a try or not? There is behaviours, and bad behaviours, and if you do bad behaviour it will catch on you, and nobody will want you.

"But it is about results; you bring someone, you pay him millions to get results. Of course, he shouldn’t go and kill someone or drink and driving; that is bad behaviour, but I said certain behaviours," added Ben Sulayem, somewhat cryptically.

Now free to negotiate with rival organisations, Horner has been linked with several potential destinations, including Alpine, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Chinese automotive giant BYD as part of a possible future Formula 1 entry.
(Reporting by Agnes Carlier at Silverstone)