Christian Horner has been flirting with a return to the Formula 1 paddock and the former Red Bull chief is dropping hints about his next destination.

It has been over a year since Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull and he is now circling the Formula 1 paddock looking for his next opportunity. It didn’t take him long to call the Ferrari job a ‘dream’.

However, Horner has ruled out Ferrari as he wants an ownership role at his next team. Horner’s stance on the cost cap is the latest hint.

Christian Horner essentially rules out joining Ferrari as he wants a shareholding – Which team should he look to return to F1 with now?

Christian Horner wanting the cost cap to be raised is a hint

The Formula 1 cost cap is becoming a hot topic once again with James Vowles pushing for changes to adjust the cap for teams trying to catch up.

Horner disagrees with Vowles and claimed that teams are spending up to $600m (£450m). The cost cap is currently set at $215m (£160m).

“What I see now is that you’ve got a budget cap of just over $200m. But teams are spending $500m or $600m. More needs to be included within the cap. I think the cap on the engine side, arguably, as an all-encompassing cap, is a good thing, it’s just what is that level? Formula 1 teams will spend as much money as they have.” – Christian Horner

Horner is pushing for the cost cap to be raised to reflect the amount being spent by top teams, and that alone is a hint at where he will head next.

There have been reports linking Horner to Williams, but while they are operating at the cost cap, his comments suggest he is heading to an extremely well-backed team.

Christian Horner is hinting at Aston Martin or Cadillac move

Aston Martin and Cadillac are both hugely underperforming in 2026, sitting 10th and 11th in the Constructors’ Championship.

Yet both teams have huge financial backing. Cadillac has extreme backing from General Motors and TWG Global. Will Buxton has claimed that Cadillac have already spent $1 billion on their Formula 1 project, including the construction of state-of-the-art facilities.

They are a very raw but exciting project on grid, and it is the kind of project that will appeal to Horner.

Likewise, Aston Martin have massive backing from Lawrence Stroll, who has repeatedly stated his intent to become world champions.

Horner wants an ownership stake, which could prove problematic, as could his frosty relationship with Adrian Newey.

But Aston Martin are crying out for a bold leader like Horner, and they have the financial backing to challenge the ‘elite’ top four.