Christian Horner made an unannounced visit to the MotoGP paddock at Jerez, attending the final practice session with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. He visited Honda’s garage, spoke with HRC CEO Koji Watanabe, described himself as “a big fan,” and said MotoGP was going through “a really interesting time” under new Liberty Media ownership. Horner ran Red Bull’s F1 team from 2005 until he left in mid-2025.

The visit prompted reporting that speculated about a possible move into MotoGP ownership. Those reports pointed to Liberty Media’s €4.2 billion acquisition of Dorna in 2025, which placed MotoGP under the same corporate umbrella as F1, and to a new commercial contract due in 2027 that has attracted investor interest. Journalists highlighted recent crossovers from F1, Guenther Steiner’s €20 million purchase of Tech3, and MotoGP’s satellite-team model and factory-built machinery as factors that lower the barriers to entry compared with F1.

Horner’s ties to Honda, whose engines helped power Red Bull to multiple drivers’ and teams’ titles in the 2020s, together with his conversations at Jerez and public comments, fueled industry rumours. He made no announcement and declined to outline any specific plans. Reporting said he reiterated his desire to return to F1, likely by buying equity in an existing team, with Alpine floated as a potential target, and articles also noted his recent controversies, including a 2024 investigation. Overall, the visit prompted speculation rather than confirming any recruitment or purchase.