Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he sent Christian Horner a text message following the 51-year-old’s Red Bull sacking earlier this week.
The Briton has been relieved of his duties as team principal, with Laurent Mekies installed as his replacement.
It marks the end of an era at Red Bull, with Horner previously in his role for two decades before his sudden dismissal.
Clarkson, writing for The Sun, has now revealed he texted the former Red Bull supremo when the news broke on Wednesday.
The former Top Gear host elaborated on how he’s backing Horner to make a return to F1, with the 51-year-old linked with the likes of Alpine, Ferrari and Audi.
“I sent him a text after the news of his dismissal broke, pointing out that I’ve been in his shoes in the past,” he said.
“I explained that when you wake the following morning, it’s easy to think, ‘Well, that’s that, then’.
“But in my case, that wasn’t that. I hadn’t trodden on a snake. I’d trodden on a ladder. And I bet he does, too.
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“But where? The clever money is saying he’ll go to Alpine.
“But next year they will have Mercedes engines. Which means Christian would have to work with Silver Arrows boss Toto Wolff.
“And as those two really don’t get on, I can’t see that happening.
“Ferrari? Possibly, but that would mean upping sticks and moving to Italy. And dealing with Sir Hamilton.
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“Audi is coming into the sport next year, and Cadillac. And there’s talk the Chinese are making F1 noises.
“And all of them would jump at the chance of getting Horner.”
Horner’s sacking came 17 months after he’d been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female member of staff.
However, he was twice cleared internally by Red Bull and was always adamant that he’d done nothing wrong.
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What the future holds is unclear. Horner was, however, emotional as he said goodbye to staff as the team’s factory in Milton Keynes earlier this week.
The F1 chief said: “I will still remain employed by the company, but, operationally, the baton will be handed over.
“It came as a shock to myself.
“I’ve had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news and to express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years.
“When I arrived 20 years ago, there were a few less grey hairs. I walked into a team and did not know what to expect, but I was immediately welcomed and we started to build what became a powerhouse in F1.
“Watching and being part of this team, has been the biggest privilege of my life.”
