Christian Horner is 'ringing up pretty much EVERY team' in desperate bid to make immediate Formula One return, rival claims after he landed £80m Red Bull payment

Christian Horner has been in touch with 'pretty much' every team since he was sacked by Red Bull in July, according to Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell.

The claim came ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, which Horner will miss following his £80million pay off from the organisation he led to 14 world titles over two decades.

‘It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment,’ said Cowell. 

‘I can clearly say there are no plans for the involvement of Christian in an operational or investment role in the future.’

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu confirmed Daily Mail Sport’s story that Horner had had tentative talks with the US-owned team, saying: ‘We were approached but nothing has gone any further. It is finished.’

Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen added his the French-led team’s adviser and interim team principal Flavio Briatore was an ‘old friend’ of Horner.

Nielsen added: ‘I don't know what they talk about. Everything I know is there are no plans for Christian to come to Alpine but that doesn't mean it won't happen.’

Horner, 51, will be a free agent from next spring and is keen to return to the sport.