Christian Horner has made his first appearance in the Formula 1 paddock since his exit from Red Bull last year at Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Horner arrived at Silverstone on Sunday lunchtime ahead of the race, which starts at 3pm live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One.

He was relieved of his dual role of Red Bull team principal and chief executive three days after last July's British GP, ending a 20-year period in charge in which he led the team to eight Drivers' and six Constructors' Championships.

Speaking to Sky Sports' Craig Slater on his arrival, Horner said: "It's great to be back here at Silverstone.

"Ultimately I'm a fan and the British Grand Prix is in town. I've not missed one since '93, so it's good to be here."

Horner received a huge pay-out, understood to be in the region of £75m, but actually chose to take less money than was potentially available in order to agree a shorter period of time before he would be allowed to return to the sport with another team.

That period is now complete and while Horner is understood to be keen on an F1 return - saying at an event in January that he had "unfinished business" in the sport - it is thought he prioritises a scenario where he also has a stake in a team - a status he did not hold at Red Bull.

The 52-year-old and a consortium have been in the running to buy the minority stake in Alpine currently held by US investment firm Otro Capital. Horner has also been linked to setting up a potential new 12th team with Chinese car manufacturer BYD, while links to a role at Aston Martin also resurfaced this week.

"I've enjoyed my time out," he said on Sunday. "I did 20 years straight with the Red Bull guys. I was obviously doing other stuff before that so it's the first time I've had time to get off the hamster wheel.

"For me, I would only look at doing the right thing - something that had an opportunity to win at the end of the day."

More to follow...

Formula 1's summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at legendary Spa-Francorchamps on July 17-19, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime