Former Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has secured a surprising new position in the sports investment sector following his dramatic departure from Formula One.
The 52-year-old Englishman was dismissed by Red Bull Racing after more than two decades at the helm of the Milton Keynes-based team, where he oversaw one of the most successful eras in Formula One history.
Since his exit, speculation has been rife regarding a possible return to motorsport. Several potential destinations have been suggested, including Alpine, Aston Martin, and even Chinese automotive giant BYD, which has been linked with ambitions of entering Formula One.
Horner Joins Oakley Capital
For now, however, Horner is taking his expertise beyond the racetrack. He has joined London-based private equity firm Oakley Capital as an advisor, where he will help identify and unlock investment opportunities within the rapidly growing sports sector.
The move marks a significant shift in Horner’s career, leveraging his leadership experience and commercial acumen developed during his years in elite motorsport.
Oakley Capital Welcomes F1 Veteran
Peter Dubens, Founder and Managing Partner of Oakley Capital, praised Horner’s appointment, highlighting the value he will bring to the firm’s expanding sports portfolio.
“Christian Horner is widely recognised as a highly successful leader in global sport. His track record, expertise and commercial instinct will be invaluable as we continue to scale our sports portfolio,” Dubens said.
He added that Oakley is increasingly focused on founder-led, high-growth businesses, as well as under-commercialised sports assets with significant untapped potential.
“We look forward to working with Christian in order to unlock these opportunities,” he added.
Horner Excited About New Challenge
Horner expressed enthusiasm about the new chapter in his professional journey, pointing to the growing appeal of sports businesses worldwide.
“Sports businesses are benefitting from growing global audiences and participation rates as more people embrace healthier, active lifestyles,” Horner said.
He also praised Oakley Capital’s investment philosophy and longstanding reputation.
“I have known and respected Peter and the Oakley team for many years and have always admired their approach to building ambitious, founder-led businesses.
Oakley Capital has established a strong reputation across the sports and consumer landscape, and I look forward to working together in the future and sharing my experience to help support the next generation of standout sports businesses.”
Oakley’s Expanding Sports Portfolio
Oakley Capital already boasts a growing collection of sports-related investments. Its portfolio includes Athena Racing (now GB1, the ‘Challenger of Record’ for the 38th America’s Cup), high-performance padel racket manufacturer NOX, golf equipment brand Vice Golf, and marine sports company North Sails.
While a return to Formula One remains a possibility in the future, Horner’s latest appointment signals a new and unexpected direction as he transitions from managing championship-winning race teams to helping shape the future of sports investment.