Ferrari believe Christian Horner would be the ‘death knell’ for one potential 2027 driver line-up

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Ferrari would never have imagined that the 2025 Formula 1 season could go so badly that speculation is already beginning around their driver line-up for the 2027 campaign.

Team principal Fred Vasseur will be relieved that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are tied down until the end of next season at least.

Leclerc is on a long-term deal, while it’s believed that Hamilton controls an extension in his contract that could see him stay at Ferrari until the end of 2027.

However, the team’s recent poor results have hyped up speculation around some of the key players within the team.

It’s been suggested that Leclerc’s camp has reached out to Mercedes, among other teams, for the 2027 season.

There has also been speculation that Ferrari are looking at Christian Horner as a potential option to replace Vasseur if next year proves to be as underwhelming as 2025.

Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been interested in Horner for some time, although it doesn’t look like a deal is close to happening.

There might be another reason why Ferrari don’t want to hire Horner if they need to dip into the driver market next year.

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

Ferrari hiring Christian Horner would be the ‘death knell’ for signing Max Verstappen

A report from Tuttosport has shared more details about Horner’s future and the links with Ferrari.

There are question marks over Horner and Adrian Newey’s relationship, which could impact a move to Aston Martin, although Lawrence Stroll’s control over the team would likely be a bigger barrier to a deal being done.

Alpine and Haas have both been discussed as potential landing spots for Horner if and when he returns to Formula 1 from the middle of next year.

It’s believed that Ferrari wouldn’t be willing to give Horner shares in the team, which is a similar reason why Newey never ended up in Maranello.

However, if Ferrari need to change things drastically next year if F1’s new regulations don’t go to plan, then Horner will once again appear as an option.

One of the drivers that Ferrari have been linked with for 2027 is Max Verstappen.

Max Verstappen is the fastest driver on the grid, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ferrari pushed hard to try and bring the four-time world champion in if Leclerc or Hamilton depart.

However, the report from Tuttosport suggests that if Horner joined Ferrari, it would be the ‘death knell’ in their pursuit of the Dutchman.

It’s well known that Hamilton and Horner haven’t always seen eye to eye. And while every F1 fan would love to see a trio of Horner, Hamilton and Verstappen in 2027, it seems incredibly unlikely to happen.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Where could Max Verstappen go if he decides to leave Red Bull next season?

Verstappen has committed to at least one more season at Red Bull, even though his contract officially runs until 2028.

However, if Red Bull can’t build a championship-winning car during the next era of the sport, then the Dutchman will begin to explore his options.

The 28-year-old has been driving a Ferrari in his GT3 outings this year, and Verstappen received plenty of plaudits from Ferrari’s fans when he won at Monza earlier this season.

A far more likely scenario is that Verstappen’s links to Mercedes strengthen even further, particularly as George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli still haven’t signed new deals for 2026.

The likes of Aston Martin and even Audi will be keeping a close eye on Verstappen’s movements, but he won’t be short of suitors if he decides to move on.