A former Formula 1 racer has suggested that Christian Horner has become someone no one in the sport wants to collaborate with.

The 52-year-old, who resides in the vicinity of Banbury, was stripped of his position as Red Bull team principal earlier this year following two decades with the outfit.

Horner held the top role at the Milton Keynes-based squad from 2005 onwards, during which time the team claimed eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ trophies.

The former F1 ace shares a £9.2 million property on the boundary between Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire with his spouse, Geri Halliwell-Horner.

Since leaving Red Bull, Horner has not secured any significant Formula 1 position, and now a former competitor has attributed this to the fact that no racing professionals are willing to join him.

Ralf Schumacher, who competed for Jordan, Williams and Toyota throughout the 1997 to 2007 period, earned six Grand Prix victories and accumulated 27 podium finishes across his career in the sport. The German driver is the sibling of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

During an appearance on the Backstage Boxengasse programme, Schumacher stated that while Horner had accomplished remarkable feats and experienced tremendous accomplishments, those very achievements had caused him to transform somewhat.

Schumacher noted that positive sentiment about Horner is scarce within the paddock environment, which would likely prevent any quality candidates from accepting positions should Horner be appointed as team principal elsewhere, as they would prefer not to associate with him professionally.

According to Schumacher, while Horner’s standing has not been entirely destroyed, it has suffered considerable damage, meaning he would not be quick to recruit Horner if seeking to attract talented individuals to a paddock role.