Ferrari could now take action not seen for 28 years to get Christian Horner to replace Fred Vasseur

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Ferrari are looking at sacked Red Bull team principal Christian Horner as a potential replacement for Fred Vasseur, as the Briton chases a return to the paddock in 2026.

Horner is officially free to open discussions with potential suitors after finalising his exit from Red Bull this September. The Milton Keynes outfit stripped the 51-year-old of his operational roles in June, but they had to negotiate the termination of his contract lasting through 2030.

He will now serve a period of gardening leave after 20 years in charge of the Austrian energy drink brand’s team. Yet Red Bull agreed to let Horner return to F1 in early 2026 as part of his reduced severance package. So, Ferrari chairman John Elkann has put Horner on his radar.

Elkann is said to be considering appointing Horner, despite Ferrari signing Vasseur to a new contract through 2027 this July. The Scuderia’s continued woes in the 2025 season have left the Frenchman on shaky ground once more, with Ferrari yet to win a Grand Prix this season.

Ferrari could establish a UK technology centre to convince Christian Horner to join

But while Ferrari are pursuing Horner as Elkann has lost faith in Vasseur, it is far from certain that the Leamington Spa native would agree to take over in Maranello. So, a report by Funo Analisi Tecnica now suggests that Ferrari may explore taking drastic action to tempt Horner.

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One of the biggest hurdles in Ferrari’s path to appointing Horner is the Briton’s reluctance to move away from England, which his family – including wife Geri Halliwell – would not be too keen on. So, Ferrari could consider establishing a new technical hub in the UK to suit Horner.

Ferrari have not had a facility in the UK since 1997 and did not reap many rewards from it at the time. But advances in technology over essentially the past three decades could make it a more profitable enterprise, especially if the UK base sees Elkann secure his long-time target.

Horner might not be the only addition whom Ferrari could sign with a base in the so-called Motorsport Valley, as well. Ferrari can struggle to convince some staff to move to Italy, thus a UK facility could see the Scuderia strengthen their ranks beyond the chief at the very top.

Elkann would have to invest significant funds to make a UK facility a success for Ferrari. But the Scuderia chairman could potentially argue that the base may also see the brand’s value increase under Horner’s leadership. It likely would not be an instant success story, however.

Ferrari last had a design centre in England back in 1997

Ferrari first toyed with having a technology centre in England back in the 1980s, with a base in Guildford to sign John Barnard as he proved reluctant to relocate to Italy. Enzo Ferrari put his faith behind it, too, but communication between Guildford and Maranello proved tricky.

READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know

The Scuderia tried to create a UK facility again under the leadership of Luca di Montezemolo in 1993, as well, with a Design and Development base located in Shalford. Yet that base only lasted until 1997, with Ferrari returning to running every part of their team out of Maranello.

Almost three decades later, Horner might be able to make a UK facility work for Ferrari more than the Scuderia’s past projects. But it would be an expensive long shot on the chance that it is the silver bullet that Elkann might need to convince Horner to replace Vasseur at Ferrari.