Christian Horner has publicly stated that a return to Formula 1 as Ferrari team principal would be his ‘dream job’. The former Red Bull Racing boss indicated this in a recent interview with The Times, marking a significant shift in his previously stated conditions for re-entering the sport.
Horner, who departed Red Bull in July 2025, had consistently maintained that any future team principal role would require an ownership stake. However, he now identifies Ferrari as the sole exception to this requirement.
He described the Maranello outfit as the ‘biggest brand in Formula 1’ and referred to it as the sport’s ‘sleeping giant.’ This declaration comes over a year after his departure from Red Bull Racing.
Horner was relieved of his duties as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing shortly after the 2025 British Grand Prix, ending a 20-year tenure. His exit followed a period of internal scrutiny and a downturn in on-track performance.
Laurent Mekies subsequently took over as CEO and Team Principal at Red Bull Racing midway through the 2025 season. Mekies’ appointment marked the first time Red Bull began a season without Horner at the helm.
Currently, Fred Vasseur serves as Ferrari’s team principal, a position he has held since the start of the 2023 season. Vasseur signed a multi-year contract extension in July 2025, securing his role until at least the end of the 2027 season.
Despite Vasseur’s contract, speculation regarding his future has intensified due to Ferrari’s performance during the current 2026 Formula 1 season. Paddock discussions suggest Ferrari may have been considering a succession plan for 2027.
The 2026 campaign has seen Ferrari achieve victories in Barcelona and at Silverstone. However, the team currently sits second in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing Mercedes by 145 points.
Lewis Hamilton’s title aspirations for the 2026 season have also diminished, with the seven-time world champion now 101 points behind Kimi Antonelli after a recent DNF. This situation adds pressure on Ferrari’s leadership.
Horner’s agreement with Red Bull allowed him to return to F1 in spring this year. He faced internal misconduct investigations in 2024 but was cleared by independent KCs.
“At this stage in my life, there’s only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership,” Horner stated. “Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.”
His comments have injected fresh intrigue into the F1 paddock regarding potential leadership changes for the 2027 season and beyond. Horner has been linked with other teams, including Alpine and Aston Martin, since his Red Bull exit.
