Christian Horner Firmly Denies Ferrari F1 Transfer Rumors

Christian Horner, the long-serving team principal of Red Bull Racing, has responded directly to growing rumors linking him with a top management role at Ferrari’s Formula 1 team. Over the last few months, speculation has intensified that Ferrari bosses are interested in bringing Horner on board.

Motorsport sources suggest that John Elkann, the Ferrari chairman, is a major admirer of Horner’s leadership after his success with both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen behind the wheel for Red Bull. Horner took charge at Red Bull Racing in 2005 and quickly transformed the team into regular title contenders.

Under his guidance, Red Bull secured two periods of dominance in the sport, including four straight drivers’ championships with Vettel from 2010 to 2013, and continued success with Verstappen since 2021. In 2021, Horner signed a contract extension to stay with Red Bull until the end of the 2026 season.

Despite this commitment, several reports have suggested that Ferrari has made continued attempts to lure him away. At the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Horner addressed the rumors when questioned by reporters.

He dismissed the suggestions, saying he remains fully committed to Red Bull and has no plans to leave. Horner explained, “It’s always flattering to be associated with other teams, but my commitment 100% is with Red Bull. It always has been and certainly will be for the long term.”

He added a touch of humor by mentioning his limited Italian language skills, joking that it would make working at Ferrari unlikely. Since 2023, Ferrari has been led by team principal Fred Vasseur, who joined from Sauber.

In his first season, Vasseur helped guide Ferrari to second place in the constructors’ championship. This year, the Italian squad sits fourth in the standings and has made bold moves ahead of the 2026 technical rule changes for Formula 1.

In a high-profile signing, Ferrari secured a deal with Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, who will partner Charles Leclerc as the team aims to return to the front of the grid.

Despite the shifting landscape in Formula 1 and the constant movement of drivers and senior staff between top teams, Horner emphasized that his focus remains on building Red Bull’s success.

He pointed out that rumors are common in the paddock, especially during major race weekends such as the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Horner reassured fans and his team that there is clarity within Red Bull about his intentions and that he is not considering any new role outside of the organization anytime soon.

As Formula 1 prepares for the next wave of technical updates in 2026, the competition among teams like Red Bull and Ferrari is set to intensify. For now, Christian Horner has made clear there will be no move to Maranello, with his priority set on chasing further championships with Red Bull Racing.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.