Christian Horner told by fans he’s the only person who can ‘save’ 16-time F1 champions next season

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Christian Horner will be free to begin working in Formula 1 again next season after an agreement was reached with Red Bull after he was relieved of his team principal duties.

The 2025 British Grand Prix turned out to be Christian Horner’s final race in charge of Red Bull.

A failed Max Verstappen setup choice left him finishing the race nearly a minute behind eventual winner, Lando Norris, with Yuki Tsunoda coming home in last as the only driver to be lapped at Silverstone.

Horner has now agreed a payout package with Red Bull, and he plans to return to the paddock next season.

Not only that, but Horner reportedly sacrificed £30m to shorten his gardening leave, although no team has publicly confirmed that they want to begin working with the 51-year-old.

That doesn’t mean that he won’t have offers, with Haas suggested as a potential destination for Horner, although there’s talk that he wants an ownership role in the future rather than to return as a team principal.

Formula 1 fans have now decided that they want to see Horner with one team in particular, who have gone nearly 20 years without adding to their 16 constructors’ championships.

READ MORE: All to know on sacked Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth

Fans want to see Christian Horner return to Formula 1 with Ferrari next season

Ferrari slipped to third in the championship after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both having difficult weekends.

Horner has been linked with Ferrari in the past, but a move never materialised, and Fred Vasseur signed a contract extension not long ago.

However, this didn’t stop fans taking to social media after news of Horner’s exit from Red Bull being officially confirmed to link him to the Maranello-based outfit.

One fan explained: “Ferrari really missed out on an opportunity to shake up their whole team culture at Maranello by not signing Horner and renewing an out-of-touch Fred. Hate or love him, Horner knows how to win and what it takes to do so, and I believe a few people would have followed him to Ferrari.”

Another stated: “Reports saying £80m payout and he can return to F1 in 2026. Ferrari? Aston?”

One comment read: “One of the best team principals who graced the sport. The architect behind the insurgence of Team Red Bull, what a legend. Would love to see him back in the paddock. His vast experience could do wonders for a team like Aston Martin or Ferrari, who are striving for WCC.”

“The only person who can save Ferrari is Christian Horner,” suggested another person, while one comment explained: “I don’t like Christian Horner, but at least he knows how to create a winning team, so maybe Ferrari should’ve hired him.”

“Not going to lie, Horner would probably do a better job at Ferrari than Vasseur, just saying,” said one reply, and another made an even bolder statement that included Verstappen: “Christian Horner agrees huge payout. I would imagine he’s done that so that he can pursue other ventures sooner than expected. Could we see him working within Ferrari? I could see it. Opening the door to a blockbuster deal for Max Verstappen.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Could Christian Horner ever end up working for Ferrari after his Red Bull exit?

Although it’s not impossible, it seems very unlikely that Horner and Ferrari would ever end up working together.

Horner was said to be more open to working with Ferrari than the other way around, but if the 2026 season starts in the same manner as the current campaign, Vasseur will be under pressure.

The trouble is that Horner wants more control in a team which he simply wouldn’t get at Ferrari, with the corporate structure at Maranello firmly set in stone.

Not only this, but Ferrari need to consider the future of their driver line-up beyond 2026.

Verstappen has been linked with Ferrari, and he would be the perfect replacement for Hamilton if and when he retires.

However, the likelihood of Verstappen considering a reunion with Horner if he were to decide to leave Red Bull seems very slim, meaning that a move to F1’s most successful team is almost certainly not on the cards.