Christian Horner return route ruled out after Toto Wolff's 'really in the s***' comment

The prospect of Christian Horner taking up a new role with the FIA has been shot down by a former Red Bull driver. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently joked he would be 'really in the s***' if his old rival is snapped up by the governing body. Horner is still without a job following his Red Bull exit, with Laurent Mekies having been drafted in to replace him.

He is widely expected to return to the paddock at some point, given that he is one of the most successful team principals in F1 history. Robert Doornbos, however, would be shocked if the 51-year-old is handed a role with the FIA. He believes Horner would prefer a team-based role over a governance position when he eventually returns to F1.

Quizzed on Horner's future, he told the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com: "I don't see him returning to a role at the FIA. I can see him giving it another go as team boss, though."

Doornbos previously suggested that Horner could join Alpine on the condition that Flavio Briatore is willing to accommodate him becoming a shareholder in the team.

"That would be a team that, at some point, is in such dire straits and says: 'We're at a loss'," said Doornbos. "Flavio isn't going to do it forever.

"Christian [could] say: 'I like a project like that, I'll take it on, and I want shares, then we'll make it a huge success again'. There are also bright minds there who have been successful in the past."

Horner spent two decades as Red Bull's leading man, overseeing six Constructors' Championship triumphs. He also managed two of the greatest drivers in F1 history, with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen each winning four Drivers' Championship titles.

It remains to be seen where he will go next, but Wolff has already insisted that he does not want the former Red Bull team principal to join the FIA.

Speaking last month, he said: "In a way, yes [Horner will be missed]. He was one of the main casts. I don't think he's gone forever, he could pop up in some other function.

I need to be careful. He could be rocking up in the FIA, and then you know I'm really in the s***. He was someone that was controversial, polarising, and not soft-washed.

"That was good from the entertainment factor and from that perspective, he will be missed. His track record speaks for itself."

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