Christian Horner's rare public appearance with wife, billionaire backers and F1 return

Christian Horner enjoyed a sparkling 20-year career in charge of the Red Bull F1 team before being dismissed last month. The Briton was reportedly handed a severance package worth £80million following his exit.

Horner has taken an enforced break from F1 since leaving his Red Bull role and took the opportunity to embark on a road trip around Scotland with his wife Geri Halliwell recently. But the 51-year-old is said to be eyeing a return to the sport he loves. And Express Sport takes a look at what could be in store next for the talented executive after he was spotted out and about in Coventry with Geri.

Public appearance with wife

Horner and his former Spice Girl wife travelled to the Coventry Building Society Arena together to watch Coventry City take on Watford in a Championship football match on Saturday.

Coventry, who are managed by England and Chelsea hero Frank Lampard, secured a 3-1 victory over Geri's favourite team, as the home side ended the weekend three points clear at the top of the Championship table.

"My grandad was involved in Coventry City, so we were Sky Blues supporters growing up," Horner told talkSPORT last year. "I'll be going along to have a look and support Frank."

Billionaire backers

Horner's exit from Red Bull came with an agreement that he would only be allowed to return to F1 from next April.

He has been linked with the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin, Alpine and Haas, with his acumen believed to be in high demand.

And Horner has even reportedly been contacted by mega-wealthy investors, who are said to be willing to provide the backing to fund a £1.5billion purchase of an existing F1 outfit. However, the former Red Bull man could face a major hurdle as owners are currently reluctant to sell.

F1 return

Horner will return to motor sport in January after agreeing to be a headline speaker at the European Motor Show in Ireland. The former team principal will share insights from his career and discuss the future of motorsport.

And ahead of his appearance in Dublin, he said: "Ireland has a rich motorsport heritage and I am honoured to join the inaugural European Motor Show. I look forward to engaging discussions on the future of performance, innovation and the people driving change in our sport."

Horner will likely focus his efforts on his return to F1 either side of that appearance, with suggestions that he could use any backing he receives to head up his own F1 team.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem are reportedly not opposed to the idea, which could pave the wave for a 12th team to enter the sport following Cadillac's arrival from the start of next year.