Christian Horner made his first appearance in the F1 paddock since being sacked by Red Bull last year when he attended Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

It didn’t take Sky Sports’ Craig Slater long to track down the 52-year-old, with the journalist being keen to get answers about Horner’s potential future in the sport.

The veteran team principal was quick to try and play the relaxed spectator, mentioning he’s been to Silverstone every year since 1993. Interestingly, though, Horner was accompanied by F1 PR Guru Alice Hedworth, which suggests that there was likely a business element to his presence at the race.

Christian Horner Addresses Rumours of F1 Return at British Grand Prix

When he was asked about rumours that he could be tempted to invest in a struggling team or front an entirely new grid entry, Horner did not shut the noise down. Instead, he issued a bold statement of intent, detailing the exact baseline a team would need to get him back involved in the sport.

“For me, I would only look at doing the right thing, something that really had an opportunity to win at the end of the day”, Horner insisted.

That one line says a lot about Horner’s mindset about returning to the sport. He is seeking a partnership that can take the fight directly to his former employers, with whom he spent 20 years before being shown the door last July.

Christian Horner’s Options For F1 Return Explored

The most tangible rumour relating to Horner involves a consortium looking to invest in Alpine. The French Renault-backed team is currently floundering in mid-table. With its infrastructure, though, and high investment backing from firm Otro Capital, they will be looking to benefit from Horner’s track record of leading an elite team.

Then there is Aston Martin, for whom Horner stated that it feels painful for him to watch struggling. With a state-of-the-art wind tunnel and upcoming factory in the Honda engine deal, the pieces of a winning puzzle are there if the right mastermind pulls them together.

The most ambitious route back to the sport for Horner would be for him to get involved with a brand-new team. Reports suggest that a 12th team could soon be added to the grid, backed by Chinese automotive giant BYD. Fronting a total newcomer would give Horner a completely new clean slate to build a powerhouse from the ground up, entirely on his own terms.

“There is so much speculation, I think I have been linked with every team on the grid so far today. I am just here to enjoy the race.” Horner reasoned as he tried to deflect from Slater’s questioning.

Horner claims he is in no rush, but walking the Silverstone paddock is the ultimate power move. He has officially signalled to all potential suitors that he is interested in making a deal, but only if they can meet his own ambitions.

England have been dealt a major blow just hours ahead of their World Cup Last 16 clash with Mexico after a player was ruled out with injury.

The Three Lions are undefeated at the tournament having claimed wins over Croatia, Panama, and then DR Congo, while they drew with Ghana, but will take on co-hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium in the early hours of Monday morning.

Thomas Tuchel has already admitted his team face a major disadvantage playing away from home in the altitude at such short notice, but they have now been handed another issue to deal with in the build-up to the huge clash.

Djed Spence Out of Mexico vs England

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

According to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett, England will be without defender Djed Spence for the game due to injury.

The Tottenham Hotspur star has started two of England’s four games, playing at left-back against Ghana before starting at right-back against DR Congo. But with Reece James still unavailable due to a hamstring injury picked up against Ghana, and Jarrel Quansah nursing an injury of his own, the team now face a huge dilemma at right-back.

According to Dorsett, Quansah has been passed fit to play and is likely to start at right-back for the game, although there is also a chance that Arsenal star Declan Rice gets the nod following his performance in the latter stages against DR Congo in that position.

Tuchel has previously ruled out Rice playing there from the start at Mexico, but he may be left without any option if Quansah’s fitness means he is unable to play too.

The England lineup had previously been ‘leaked’ online hours before, and Spence was expected to start in defence alongside Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, and Nico O’Reilly.

England Face Major Full-Back Issue

Thomas Tuchel via Reuters/Jim Rassol

Tuchel’s full-back options when he selected his squad were an immediate talking point, with many fans and media questioning his decisions.

Tino Livramento was sent home before the tournament with an injury, while James had barely featured in the second half of the season due to fitness problems, but was selected anyway. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly is naturally a midfielder, while Spence is naturally a right-back.

Now he has very limited choices to pick from, and Ezri Konsa or Trevoh Chalobah are likely to be called upon at some point to play out of position should England be able to progress past Mexico into the quarter-finals.