Christian Horner has had to dismiss what he has called ‘flattering’ rumours linking him to the Ferrari team principal job after it was reported by German publication Bild that current team principal Frederic Vasseur’s role is under threat after a disappointing start to the 2025 season.
During a news conference earlier today in Barcelona, Horner had a rather amusing dig at the Alpine stand-in team principal, Flavio Briatore, during his attempts to downplay the Ferrari link rumours.
Christian Horner shutting down the rumours
In a news conference today at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Christian Horner was forced to deny rumours he was looking for a move to an Italian-based team. However, he swerved to answer if he had received an approach. Horner said the rumours were “flattering”, but his commitment is “100 per cent with Red Bull”.
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Horner went on to talk about the rumours that are always going on within the world of Formula 1, with “people coming here, going there, or whatever”, but ultimately saying those in the team are the ones who know what’s going on.
The news conference also featured Flavio Briatore, who was seated next to Horner, which allowed for his hilarious quip in regards to the rumours, “My Italian is worse than Flavio [Briatore’s] English, so how on earth would that work?”. However, with Horner’s apparent commitment to Red Bull and the Red Bull majority owners keen for him to stay, it does not look like he will be heading to Maranello anytime soon.
Why do the Red Bull majority owners want Horner to stay?
Christian Horner is said to be favoured by the Red Bull majority owners for a number of reasons that, despite recent controversy, are seen as the key reasons for him staying with the team.
Horner has been with the team since its formation back in 2005. In that time, Horner has steered the ship to a constant level of success, something the hierarchy doesn’t want to lose out on.
🚨 | AMuS:
Christian Horner’s position was not weakened at the meeting of the Red Bull bosses in Dubai, but actually strengthened.
The Thai side is fully behind the plans of Horner, who wants to take complete control of both the drinks group and the motorsport empire. #F1 pic.twitter.com/GbDUPTIHKQ
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) March 28, 2024
The Red Bull main shareholder, Chalerm Yoovidhya, who holds a 51% stake in Red Bull GmbH, is a Thai shareholder who is also reportedly a key ally of Horner’s, potentially pushing for his promotion to CEO. This also links to Horner’s signing of Thai driver Alex Albon back in 2019.
Horner has also proved that he is capable of digging his team out of problems. Back in 2014, after Sebastian Vettel left, the team was in a downward spiral where they were not able to compete against Mercedes. But then, they recruited Max Verstappen and eventually beat the silver arrows to begin another era of dominance by the Austrian team.
Given where the team is now, the Red Bull majority owners will want Horner to remain in his position as the team now needs stability and strong and proven leadership.
