Surprise 'future destination' suggested for Christian Horner after Red Bull exit

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok believes Alpine could be a potential destination for Christian Horner following his exit from Red Bull.

Red Bull announced on Wednesday that it had parted ways with Horner with immediate effect, bringing the curtain down on his 20-year association with the team.

It has already raised the question of what Horner will do next, having established himself as one of the most successful team bosses in F1 history.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Chandhok suggested Horner could first seek to enjoy some time away from Red Bull's hectic lifestyle.

“Does he want a little bit of time away? He's been in the pressure cooker of F1 for 20 years at the forefront,” Chandhok said.

“He's never missed a race, famously. We've heard other team bosses, Zak Brown and Toto Wolff, occasionally not going to a race.

“Christian has not missed a race since he has been in charge of Red Bull at the first race in 2005. It's been a long time, so perhaps he wants a bit of time out.”

Prior to his exit, Horner was already being linked with moves to Ferrari and Alpine - however the 51-year-old denied having interest in departing Red Bull for a rival.

But should Horner look to return to F1 in the future, Chandhok has signalled Alpine as a team that could use his services.

“Could he go to Ferrari? There were lots of rumours that they would try to hire him on various occasions,” Chandhok said.

“It didn’t happen. Fred Vasseur, lots of rumours about his future. Personally, I don’t think he’ll go there.

Could he end up at Alpine? In terms of his personal life, he'd carry on living in the UK. Would he uproot his children, uproot his entire life? Probably not.

Alpine is still based in that Oxfordshire valley, motorsport valley here in the UK. They're looking for a team principal.

“They’ve hired Steve Nielsen as a managing director. Christian’s old friend, Flavio Briatore, is in charge as an executive consultant. 

“But that could be a future destination for Christian Horner - if he does choose, of course, to carry on in the pressure cooker of Formula 1.”