Horner open to Ferrari job amid F1 speculation
Sports
FORMER Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has indicated that he would consider a management role at Ferrari, amid speculation over his future in Formula One.
Horner made the comments in an interview with The Times while promoting his new book.
Asked whether he would consider working for Ferrari, Horner described the Italian team as “the biggest brand in Formula 1” and “the dream”.
His comments have fuelled speculation about whether Ferrari could appoint him, although no such move has been confirmed.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur responded to the speculation after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, saying Horner was “looking for a job”.
Vasseur also said the speculation had affected Ferrari’s working environment.
Horner was Red Bull’s team principal from 2005 until his dismissal in 2025, during which the team won eight drivers’ championships, six constructors’ titles and 124 Grands Prix.
However, his final period at Red Bull was marked by internal tensions, a decline in performance and allegations of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.
Red Bull dismissed the allegations following two internal investigations conducted by external lawyers.
Horner’s departure also followed the exits of several senior Red Bull personnel, including chief technical officer Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and head of strategy Will Courtenay.
According to Horner, Red Bull told him that the team had become “more Christian Horner Racing than Red Bull Racing” as the reason for his dismissal.
Horner has also acknowledged that his outspoken personality has made him a divisive figure within Formula One.
A major obstacle to any potential Ferrari appointment could be the team’s management structure.
Horner has previously argued that an F1 team requires a single person to have overall control.
At Ferrari, however, team principal Vasseur operates under the wider authority of chairman John Elkann and chief executive Benedetto Vigna.
Ferrari’s interest in appointing Horner has not been established publicly.
The future of Ferrari’s current management structure therefore remains a separate question from Horner’s expressed willingness to consider the role.
Meanwhile, Formula One is maintaining its current 2026 calendar despite continuing conflict in the Middle East.
The season is scheduled to conclude with races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi in November and December.
The FIA is the sport’s governing body, but Formula One determines the calendar, subject to FIA approval.
A contingency plan is reportedly in place for Imola in Italy to host the season finale from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races cannot proceed because of an escalation of the regional conflict.
No changes to the current calendar have been confirmed.
M.P
Tags: Ferrari