Christian Horner F1 return timeline revealed as ex-Red Bull boss reaches £80m settlement

Christian Horner will be able to return to Formula 1 from the first half of next season after the ex-Red Bull team principal reached a settlement with his former employers. The Brit had been on gardening leave after being removed from his role.

Horner had served as the Red Bull team principal since their debut in the sport back in 2005. In that time he won eight drivers' championships with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, and was one of the sport's biggest names.

Horner's success and experience mean he was immediately tipped for a return to the sport, and The Times reports that he is free to make a comeback next season. That is set to be a crucial junction, with a fundamental change of the regulations that could lead to a grid shake-up.

Some teams - the likes of McLaren and Mercedes - have enjoyed settled leadership teams but Horner's availability could alert others. Ferrari have been through a number of leaders in an effort to end their wait for a world title. The former team boss has been linked to the Alpine F1 team, especially given his friendship with Alpine's executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, although he claimed there were no imminent plans to go after him

Red Bull did not release an explanation for the decision to sack Horner, but it is understood that it revolved around poor recent performances, and divisions between Horner and senior figures.

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Horner has just reached a settlement with Red Bull that will see him land £80million. He was contracted until 2030 and has been in discussions with the team for weeks after his exit, which also included an agreement for the amount of gardening leave Horner must serve.

The 51-year-old was effectively sacked as team principal after the British Grand Prix in early July and was replaced by Laurent Mekies. The team had seen their performances nosedive after four dominant years, but Verstappen has just celebrated back-to-back wins.

When he left, Horner said: "Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honour and privilege. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team breaking records and reaching heights no one would ever believe were possible and I will for ever carry that with me.

"However, for me my biggest satisfaction has been assembling and leading the most amazing group of talented and driven individuals and seeing them flourish.”

Major shareholder Mark Mintzlaff said on his exit: "We would like to thank Christian for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.

"Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will for ever remain an important part of our team history.”