Christian Horner F1 return hurdle suggested by seven-time race winner

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has suggested Red Bull could have blocked Christian Horner's route back to the sport following his dismissal from the team.

Red Bull confirmed last month that Horner had left his role as team principal following 20 years in charge.

As he was still under contract, Horner entered negotiations with Red Bull to discuss the terms of his termination, the details of which have not been disclosed.

The Briton, who is one of the most successful F1 team principals in the sport's history, is now believed to be serving a period of gardening leave which prevents him from immediately linking up with a rival team.

Speaking on the MontoyAS podcast, Montoya suggested that the period could extend for the rest of his working career.

“If Christian has the chance, he’ll come back,” he said. “Whether he wants to or not, we don’t know.

“With everything that happened and the payout Red Bull must have given him, he’s financially set.

“Maybe part of the deal was that he can’t work in F1 again? That’s the only thing that would stop him.”

However, should Horner have the opportunity to return to F1, Montoya does not see the 51-year-old having trouble finding a new role.

“But if I were running a team like Aston Martin, Cadillac, Alpine, Haas, I’d hire him in two seconds.”