Christian Horner set for frustrating job snub after Red Bull exit, F1 team prefers a more ‘sensible’ option

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The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix will be the first Formula 1 race in more than 20 years that Christian Horner hasn’t attended.

Ever since Red Bull made their Formula 1 debut in 2005, Christian Horner has been ever-present in the paddock.

Only Ron Dennis won more F1 races as a team principal than Horner, but the British Grand Prix was the final nail in the coffin for the 51-year-old.

Max Verstappen finished a distant fifth after a compromising car set-up designed to maximise his performance in qualifying was virtually impossible to handle in wet conditions.

Yuki Tsunoda finished last once again, leaving Red Bull fourth in the constructors’ championship and Horner’s position in the team untenable.

However, that hasn’t stopped Horner from immediately being linked to other positions in the F1 paddock.

Horner has been suggested as a potential part-owner of Alpine, with Renault potentially considering selling a stake in the team.

Another option touted has been taking over from Fred Vasseur as team principal of Ferrari.

Vasseur’s position has been under threat at Ferrari, but journalist Ralf Bach believes that the Frenchman is safe for now, ruling out a potential next step for Horner.

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

Fred Vasseur set for Ferrari contract extension amid Christian Horner rumours

Bach was asked on the F1 Insider YouTube channel about Vasseur’s future and whether Ferrari were likely to find a replacement, and he explained: “Yes, it seems they won’t find one and will have to keep him, which is sensible.

“I always said that he needs more time; you can’t throw him away after just two [three] years.

“For example, Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher also thought about it for a long time.

“In principle, he already has all the ingredients needed to be successful in the long term, but he also has to be given more time.

“But he’s not stupid; he has probably already noticed that [Antonello] Colleta, the head of Le Mans, has been asked about the Le Mans project.

“I heard he’d rather not go into Formula 1; it’s too much of a high-flyer. He is very happy with what he has right now. That means he doesn’t have to force anything.

“Christian Horner is not an issue. I think Horner would like to, but he isn’t [an option].

“I think Vasseur staying is sensible. He is the right one for Ferrari, perhaps because there are no alternatives.

“They will have to extend his contract soon, which is about to expire. If they don’t do that, he’ll no longer have a contract; it’s that simple.

“I think they will do it, especially as he has the support of both drivers. Leclerc and Hamilton say they want to continue working with Vasseur because he’s the right one; that definitely helps.”

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

Ferrari hoping for strong end to the 2025 Formula 1 campaign with mid-season updates

Red Bull currently sit 50 points behind Ferrari at the halfway stage of the season, although it’s hard to accurately judge which team has the faster car.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have been relatively evenly matched, but only have four podiums between them, whereas Verstappen has two race wins under his belt.

The underperformance of Tsunoda and Liam Lawson this season suggests that Verstappen may be getting far more out of the RB21 than many would expect.

Ferrari are set to bring a new rear suspension to an upcoming race, in the hopes that it will allow them to run the car lower to the ground.

If Ferrari can make the progress that Vasseur expects, then keeping him in the job makes a lot of sense, even if 2025 has ultimately been disappointing.

However, should Ferrari’s final updates of this year fail, then suddenly looking at alternative candidates to Vasseur looks like a more sensible option.