‘Very emotional’ F1 chairman is plotting to ‘get rid’ of his team boss and sign Christian Horner

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Christian Horner’s CV will surely appeal to every F1 team who are currently struggling. At the moment, most remain outwardly confident.

McLaren have just sealed their second consecutive constructors’ championship, while Mercedes are the favourites for the 2026 regulations amid excitement over their new engine.

Looking further down the order, Williams are on for their best season since 2016 and are optimistic of winning races under the new rules Aston Martin have dropped a couple of places but are banking on a world-class engineering team, led by Adrian Newey, to deliver a contending car in the short-to-medium term future.

Sauber have scored 55 points this season compared to just four last year, transforming the mood at the team before Audi’s takeover. And while Haas are currently second from bottom, Ayao Komatsu says talks with Horner have ended.

John Elkann is ‘really focused’ on bringing Christian Horner to Ferrari

The atmosphere may be bleaker at Alpine and Ferrari. The former are propping up the table with just 20 points, the last of which was scored before the summer break.

It’s a new low for a team who have consistently underachieved, but Alpine have given Flavio Briatore another year to prove himself before they consider a deal with Horner.

Meanwhile, Ferrari are at risk of falling to fourth in the constructors’ and are quickly approaching a winless season. Fred Vasseur was expected to deliver the title, but the team have fallen well short in almost all departments.

John Elkann gave Vasseur a new contract in July when Horner was on the market. But according to F1-Insider’s Ralf Bach, the ‘very emotional’ chairman has changed his mind on his team principal’s future.

Even though reported Ferrari target Max Verstappen’s camp aren’t inclined to work with Horner again, Elkann is ready to pursue the 51-year-old.

“Despite the contract extension, Ferrari apparently wants to get rid of Vasseur, and John Elkann is apparently really focused on securing Christian Horner’s place,” Bach said.

“Horner has 14 world championship titles on his resume. Elkann is considered a very emotional guy who isn’t interested in what he thought yesterday, but rather what he thinks today.

“They’ve extended Vasseur’s contract, and yet his position is apparently already wobbling again. And that’s where Horner comes in. They’re apparently unaware that they’re closing the door for [Max] Verstappen.”

Axing Fred Vasseur could cost Ferrari Lewis Hamilton

Elkann met CEO Benedetto Vigna at Ferrari’s HQ after an ‘unacceptable’ Singapore Grand Prix result. The Scuderia haven’t even had a podium in the last five races.

Vasseur’s contract runs until the end of 2027, but it’s clear that he will be under major pressure if Ferrari continue to lag behind following the rules revolution.

Will Buxton has previously suggested that Lewis Hamilton would leave Ferrari if they signed Christian Horner, such is his loyalty to Vasseur. That’s just one of the repercussions this seismic decision could have.