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Christian Horner 'explores' another sport amid fears F1 return could be blocked by Toto Wolff

Christian Horner is being linked to another high-profile motorsport paddock after so far failing to get back into F1

[Christian Horner]

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Christian Horner has been in the MotoGP paddock this weekend(Image: Gold & Goose Photography, Getty Images)

Christian Horner has set tongues wagging over a potential move into a new sport after making an unexpected appearance at a MotoGP race. The former Red Bull team principal was spotted at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez this weekend, stoking speculation that he could turn his attention to the premier class of two-wheeled motorsport.

The 52-year-old has been searching for a route back into the F1 paddock since being dismissed by Red Bull last year. Despite being linked with positions at Aston Martin and Alpine, Horner remains on the outside looking in.

Former rival Toto Wolff of Mercedes has suggested a return could prove difficult, having "broken a lot of glass" in the sport. MotoGP, now under the ownership of F1's parent company Liberty Media, could offer him a fresh avenue.

Horner spent the final practice session of the weekend in the factory Honda garage, where he was spotted in conversation with Honda Racing Corporation CEO Koji Watanabe. He was also seen chatting to key figures at world champions Ducati.

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Horner shares a strong bond with Honda, which supplied Red Bull's engines as Max Verstappen stormed to four successive F1 drivers' championships. When quizzed about a potential team purchase, Horner told MotoGP's official feed: "I have always been a big fan of MotoGP, and while I've got a little bit of time, I thought it was a good opportunity to come down and have a look at the championship.

"Obviously, [MotoGP] is under new ownership now, in common with Formula 1, and it's great to see the bikes and how they have evolved. I was last at a MotoGP race in Estoril [in Portugal] in 2005, so it's been a while."

Horner was also interviewed on the grid ahead of Saturday's sprint race by TNT Sports. Asked again if he fancied owning a team, he replied: "I've just come to learn a little bit more while I've got some time, just to explore other forms of motorsport. I'm liking what I see but there's always going to be speculation."

[Christian Horner speaks to key figures at Ducati at Spanish Grand Prix]

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Christian Horner speaking to key figures at Ducati at Spanish Grand Prix(Image: Getty)

Wolff may inadvertently block one of Horner's potential routes back to F1. Wolff and Mercedes are exploring buying a 24 per cent stake in Alpine from private investment firm Otro Capital. The Enstone team confirmed in January that Horner was among a group of investors interested in acquiring the same stake.

Wolff said: "He [Horner] has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best.

"Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian. And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not.

"We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven't come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense."

[Marc Marquez (93) of Spain and Ducati Lenovo Team and Francesco Pecco Bagnaia (63)]

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Horner saw Marc Marquez (93) win a dramatic sprint race at Jerez(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Should Horner pursue involvement in MotoGP, he would join another former F1 team principal in ex-Haas boss Guenther Steiner, who headed a consortium to purchase the Red Bull KTM Tech3 outfit last year.

Horner witnessed a thrilling sprint race that began in dry conditions and ended in heavy rain. It was won by reigning world champion Marc Marquez, who fought back from a crash when the downpour arrived. The main Grand Prix takes place on Sunday afternoon.

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