The 51-year-old was removed from his role as team principal at Milton Keynes shortly after the British Grand Prix, ending a two-decade spell that brought six constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ crowns.
Horner has since agreed a severance package with Red Bull GmbH and is currently serving a nine-month period of gardening leave, which prevents him from joining another team until early 2026.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed Horner had made contact earlier this year. “Yeah, it’s true that he approached us and then one of our guys had an exploratory talk,” Komatsu said. “Then that’s it. Nothing has gone any further.”
When asked if he was surprised by Horner’s interest, Komatsu replied: “I’ve got nothing more to say on that. You guys write whatever you want. I’m not fuelling that story.”
Speculation has linked Horner with a senior role or even a co-ownership stake, something he was unable to secure at Red Bull.
Reports have also connected him with Cadillac’s prospective Formula 1 project, while Aston Martin have declined to rule out a future move for the Briton.
Horner, one of the most successful team bosses in the sport’s history, has not appeared in the paddock since July but remains an attractive candidate for any outfit looking for proven leadership.
Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Singapore Grand Prix, staged over 61 laps of the 5.063-kilometre Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday, 5 October.
