While Christian Horner was dismissed from his role as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing last year, the long-standing stalwart of Formula 1 has remained close. Not only has he been connected to Alpine, but he's also recently been in touch with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and now, he's heading to Australia for a live talk on stage ahead of the opening grand prix.
Horner has spent the last two decades of his life running one of the most successful F1 teams. Under his guidance, the Milton Keynes outfit won eight drivers' and six constructors' championships, proving there are few things he isn't capable of.
But the last couple of seasons grew too difficult. Not only did he struggle with controversy outside of the racing circuit, but internal politics and a lack of performance from the team increasingly applied pressure on his shoulders. Eventually, he was replaced by Laurent Mekies in July.
A tearful Horner bid his team goodbye but never strayed too far from the paddock as it was quickly confirmed this year that he had expressed an interest in investing in Alpine. And guess what? He'll pop up again ahead of the opening round of the 2026 F1 season, too.
Billed as "A Special Evening with Christian Horner: Life in Formula One… and Beyond", this will be the Briton's first speaking tour, taking place in Melbourne at Hamer Hall on 24 February. He'll then move to Sydney’s TikTok Entertainment Centre on 26 February before arriving at the Riverside Theatre on 2 March in Perth, just four days ahead of FP1.
This will be a nice warm-up to the new season, with a live Q&A offered to those attending. This will likely be shaped to an audience who want to know the ins and outs of what led to his removal from Red Bull, but while he'll probably remain silent on such dramas, this will be the perfect chance to probe him on his rise to the top.
“These shows are an exciting opportunity for me to unpack my career so far and provide insights and perspectives on the cusp of another exciting F1 championship,” he said on the show.
“Formula 1 is an extraordinary world but it’s also unforgiving and all-encompassing.
“I’m privileged to have spent a large part of my life in the centre of that furnace and I’m looking forward to sharing and reflecting on some of the big moments that have shaped who I am today.”
Tickets go on sale today with prices starting at AU$109 per ticket at the time of writing, although pricing is subject to change.
