How Ferrari chairman John Elkann privately feels about Fred Vasseur amid Christian Horner links

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Rumours have circulated that Ferrari chairman John Elkann is plotting a move for former Red Bull boss Christian Horner, with Fred Vasseur under threat of losing his position.

Horner finalised his Red Bull exit in September after being sacked as team principal back in July. Since then, he has been linked with several teams up and down the paddock, with Ferrari being heavily mentioned.

Reports have claimed that Horner is being ‘wooed’ by Ferrari chairman John Elkann. He would be prepared to let go of team principal Vasseur, who signed a new contract for at least the next two years, only in July.

The Maranello outfit’s poor results and direction with upgrades in 2025 have caused dissatisfaction and friction among several departments. The former Red Bull boss’ availability has fuelled the speculation, with Ferrari supposedly taking the Horner links ‘very seriously’.

It has even been suggested that Ferrari could set up a UK technology centre to try and convince the 51-year-old to join the team. However, in reality, the rumours of a move to Maranello were always a long shot, and most of it may not even be true.

John Elkann has ‘full trust’ in Fred Vasseur as Christian Horner’s links to Ferrari are ‘unfounded’

Horner would demand ‘two and a half times’ Vasseur’s salary if he were to join Ferrari, as he likely would not want a decrease from his Red Bull salary. Furthermore, his plans for his return to F1 create some problems for the Maranello outfit.

Ferrari will not sell shares to Horner, with the Brit wanting an ownership role and a stake in the next team he works with. Adrian Newey had the same issue when he was linked with the famous red team – he ended up joining Aston Martin, who offered him a minority stake.

Horner’s links to Ferrari have ‘exploded’ in recent weeks. However, according to a report from Sky Italia, ‘these rumours are completely unfounded’, claiming that they have been stirred up by the press.

Vasseur is being ‘targeted’ by Italian journalists who are angry that they do not get the same information they got from Mattia Binotto. Some even hold a grudge about the former Ferrari boss’ sacking, thus sparking the rumours about Horner replacing Vasseur.

Sky Italia notes that if there was ‘any intention of pulling off the coup’, it would have happened in July. Horner was sacked as Red Bull team principal after the British GP, while Vasseur’s new contract was announced later that month.

That extension highlights Elkann’s ‘full trust, continuity and stability in the Vasseur project’. Any rumours linking Horner to Ferrari seem to be well off the mark.

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

Which team could Christian Horner join if Ferrari are off the table?

While a move to Ferrari has been ruled out, Horner is not shy of options for a potential return to F1 in 2026. However, many teams have already shut down his chances of joining them.

Aston Martin are not interested in Horner, with team principal Andy Cowell claiming that the Brit has spoken to every F1 team in the paddock. Haas have also ruled out signing Horner as they are unwilling to sell shares in the team.

Alpine may be Horner’s ‘only viable option’ to return in 2026, given his close relationship with Flavio Briatore. The pair have had private discussions in the past, and the Enstone outfit would be keen to have Horner on board, especially as they sit last in 2025.

However, Horner would have to pay up to £1.5bn to acquire a stake in even the ‘smallest’ teams in F1. That could throw a spanner in the works for his plans to return to the paddock.