Ferrari personnel have ‘admired’ Christian Horner ‘for years’ amid F1 return rumours

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Christian Horner has been linked with several Formula 1 teams since he left Red Bull in 2025. One of them was Ferrari, and they have been keeping tabs on him for some time.

The 52-year-old was dismissed as Red Bull team principal after last year’s British GP, before being relieved of all duties in September. Since then, he has looked to find a way back into the paddock, but this time, in an ownership role.

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Horner and his various investors have spoken to several teams on the grid. One team that was heavily linked with his services was Ferrari, with speculation reigniting after he became available from Red Bull.

Following his dismissal, many Ferrari insiders were taking Horner’s links ‘very seriously’. At the time, team principal Fred Vasseur was under pressure to remain in his post as he delivered a winless 2025 campaign.

Ferrari have been looking at Christian Horner ‘for years’

Vasseur expressed his irritation over Ferrari’s links to Horner, seeing them as a distraction for the team. Likewise, Charles Leclerc found the Horner rumours ‘difficult’ as speculation surrounded the team.

No move materialised for 2025, as Vasseur signed a new contract with the team. It left the former Red Bull boss exploring other options, with Horner not speaking Italian being an ‘obvious’ drawback for joining Ferrari.

However, that has not stopped interest from within Maranello. A report from The Times notes that some Ferrari personnel have ‘admired’ Horner ‘for years’.

Ferrari had tried to poach Horner from Red Bull as Mattia Binotto’s replacement, but in the end, it went to Vasseur. Whether the Brit would be interested in joining the team now is another question, but he would not be looking to take the team principal role.

READ MORE: Who is Christian Horner? Everything to know from Red Bull past to net worth

Christian Horner has enough capital to buy ‘any’ Formula 1 team

Horner has multiple financial backers who are helping his bid to return to F1. The Times reports that he has enough money behind him to buy ‘any’ team on the grid.

Of course, that depends on ‘if and when the opportunity arises’, and thus far, many teams have been off the market. It is unlikely that Ferrari would sell a share to him, and Haas also turned down Horner.

Horner is battling Toto Wolff for a share at Alpine, with the arch-rivals being interested in Otro Capital’s 24% stake in the team.

Aston Martin are another outfit that Horner has been linked with, but given his relationship with Adrian Newey after his Red Bull exit, it is unlikely that they would want to work together again.