Bhubaneswar: Speculation over Christian Horner’s possible move to Ferrari has sent the Formula 1 paddock buzzing — but reports suggest the rumour may be more fantasy than fact. According to Sky Sports, suggestions that Ferrari chairman John Elkann has “courted” the former Red Bull team principal have been circulating in recent weeks, though insiders have downplayed their credibility.
Italian media outlets have also cooled the excitement, indicating that while informal conversations might have taken place, there is no concrete plan or offer on the table. Ferrari, notably, already has a team principal in Fred Vasseur, who has recently signed a multi-year contract extension. The Frenchman retains the full backing of Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna after guiding Ferrari to notable progress this season.
Horner, who left Red Bull earlier this year, remains one of Formula 1’s most successful and high-profile figures, with a record haul of constructors’ and drivers’ titles under his leadership. However, sources close to Ferrari believe it would be highly unlikely for him to take over from Vasseur anytime soon — both due to internal stability and Ferrari’s corporate structure, which differs sharply from the management model Horner enjoyed at Red Bull.
Another factor working against the move is the question of control. Ferrari’s tightly run hierarchy leaves little room for the kind of autonomy Horner has always demanded. Unlike Mercedes, where Toto Wolff operates as both team boss and shareholder, Ferrari’s top leadership decisions ultimately rest with Maranello’s board.
There are also practical and cultural hurdles — including relocation to Italy, language, and integration into Ferrari’s unique corporate environment — which make such a shift complex at best.
For now, Ferrari appears content with its leadership direction and performance trajectory under Vasseur. While rumours of a Horner-Ferrari alliance make for eye-catching headlines, the reality, as Sky Sports concludes, is that the move looks highly unlikely — at l⁸east for now.
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