Martin Brundle issues verdict on Christian Horner MotoGP talk after he lost Formula 1 role

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Christian Horner is currently looking for a route back into motorsport after he was sacked by Red Bull in July. An F1 comeback is most likely, but Martin Brundle thinks MotoGP could be a possibility too.

Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has told Horner to invest in MotoGP rather than return to his former stomping ground. The Briton helped Red Bull win 14 world championships in a 20-year stint, having been a founding member of the team in 2005.

MotoGP would, of course, represent a different test. But after Liberty Media acquired the sport, now may be the perfect time to enter the fray.

Horner’s former driver Max Verstappen wants to buy a MotoGP team and has reportedly held discussions with Trackhouse and LCR. Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton spoke to Gresini last year and continues to assess the market.

Martin Brundle ‘sure’ that Christian Horner is considering MotoGP investment

Brundle assessed Horner’s future in an interview with Sky Sports. F1 will be ‘his focus’, but MotoGP is bound to be on his radar.

Horner is savvy enough to know that MotoGP teams are likely to become much more valuable in the coming years. He’s likely to prioritise the most rewarding sporting challenge, wherever that may be.

Theoretically, Horner could take on a similar role to Massimo Rivola, the former Ferrari sporting director who is now the CEO of Aprilia Racing. Ex-Alpine man Davide Brivio now heads up Trackhouse.

“I’m sure he’ll be thinking about MotoGP as well,” said Brundle. “That’s just been taken over by the same people who own Formula 1 and will grow. I imagine his focus will remain in Formula 1 to see where he can get back in.”

F1 pundit Brundle is a huge admirer of MotoGP riders. He’s in awe of their toughness, citing their willingness to get back on the bike so quickly after what appear to be serious injuries.

Christian Horner and Guenther Steiner would be the perfect ‘Ride to Survive’ duo

Guenther Steiner is the first well-known F1 personality to enter the world of MotoGP since Liberty’s takeover. He will replace Herve Poncharal as the boss of the Tech3 team next year.

Liberty are already planning a Steiner documentary as they seek to attract the fans of their four-wheel operation. While Horner is a controversial figure, his celebrity status would make him an even bigger asset to the US conglomerate, and a star of the mooted ‘Ride to Survive’ series.

Steiner says he won’t attend every MotoGP race next year. His business partner Richard Coleman will run the team day-to-day, the kind of framework that could work for Horner.