Horner Clears The Air On Ferrari Rumours: “No Ownership Stake, No Return”
Christian Horner says his “dream job” comments about Ferrari were taken out of context. The former Red Bull boss says he would only return to F1 with an ownership stake in the right opportunity. As Ferrari will not sell shares, that door appears effectively closed.
Christian Horner has responded himself to the Ferrari speculation that has grown in recent weeks. Speaking to The Guardian, the former Red Bull team principal said his “dream job” comments were taken out of context and repeated that any return would only happen through the right opportunity with an ownership stake.
Background to the rumours
Horner left his 20-year role at Red Bull in July 2025, days after the British Grand Prix. Earlier this year, in an interview with The Times, he described Ferrari as “the dream”, the biggest brand in F1 and the sport’s “sleeping giant”. The comments reignited speculation about the future of Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur. Ferrari later gathered selected media to declare its full confidence in Vasseur.
Horner’s reply
Horner said Vasseur is an experienced man who has done a decent job, adding that he, more than anyone, knows the pressures of running a competitive organisation, and that his comments were taken out of context. He said his priority is a different kind of opportunity. A return to F1 is not a prerequisite, he said; he would only come back with the right opportunity, with like-minded people who want to win, and never just to be there.
“No stake, no return”
Horner’s condition is clear: a share of ownership. In The Times interview, he had suggested Ferrari could be the one exception to that rule. He now says that Ferrari will not sell shares, so that option is not realistic. Unless an existing privateer wants to sell a large slice of its team, or a wealthy new consortium wants to hand him the keys, Horner appears unlikely to be seen in the paddock. He had previously been linked with Alpine, Aston Martin, Cadillac and a possible new team backed by China’s BYD.
Leaving Red Bull and what he misses
Horner said he was never given a clear explanation for why Red Bull removed him. He also said he felt robbed of seeing the Red Bull-Ford engine win. He praised Verstappen and said he believes Red Bull has changed since he left. He misses the people, the team and the competition, but not the travel and politics. Laughing that he had “a hell of a run”, Horner said the only thing that really motivates and excites him at the moment is Formula 1.