Christian Horner losing his job at Red Bull Racing has quickly led to speculation about his next step in Formula 1.
After more than 20 years at the helm of Red Bull, it was announced that Christian Horner was no longer in charge of operations at the team.
Laurent Mekies has been named as Horner’s successor, and he has now been tasked with helping the team return to their former glories.
Red Bull won 14 championships during Horner’s tenure, but they currently sit fourth in the constructors’ championship, and Max Verstappen’s chances of defending his title are slipping away every weekend.
Unsurprisingly, Horner is already being linked with several other jobs in Formula 1.
Flavio Briatore could try and bring Horner to Alpine, given the close relationship they’ve formed in the paddock over the years.
Cadillac have discussed the possibility of signing Horner ahead of their Formula 1 debut next season.
However, one name that won’t go away when it comes to talking about Horner is Ferrari.
Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Will Buxton suggests Lewis Hamilton would consider leaving Ferrari if Christian Horner replaced Fred Vasseur
It’s well known that Ferrari chairman John Elkann has previously spoken to Horner about joining the Scuderia.
In fact, Horner not downplaying rumours linking him to Ferrari may have contributed to his dismissal this week.
Journalists Jennie Gow and Will Buxton were guests on The Sports Agents Podcast discussing Horner’s exit from Red Bull.
Gow was asked whether she could see Hamilton working with Horner at Ferrari and said: “I mean, honestly, no, I can’t.
“I know that Ferrari and the word on the street was that Ferrari are being linked with maybe getting Christian Horner to come on board.
“I think, like Will [Buxton] said, that’s more of a stretch to believe that that would happen.
“It just doesn’t seem the perfect fit for Christian Horner. Whereas Alpine, the Flavio Briatore, the link there, even looking at Instagram, Flavio has gone online and posted about Christian in a very respectful way.
“Do I see Christian and family moving across to Italy? Not really. Do I see Lewis Hamilton wanting to work with Christian Horner? Not really.”
Buxton replied and said: “One of the key reasons that Lewis moved to Ferrari wasn’t just the allure of racing for the Scuderia.
“It was to link up once again with Fred Vasseur, who ran Lewis to his junior series championships.
“Lewis adores that man and has absolute faith in Fred Vasseur. If they replaced Fred with Christian Horner, I don’t think Lewis would be a Ferrari driver for much longer.”
Fred Vasseur faces uncertain future amid Christian Horner interest
Reports have already surfaced suggesting Ferrari have a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to sign Horner now.
There are potential barriers that would make a move difficult to negotiate, including whether Horner would want to move his family away from the UK and the need to learn Italian.
However, Fred Vasseur is under pressure at Ferrari, despite the constant support he’s received from Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari haven’t won a championship since 2008, and Vasseur is coming to the end of a three-year contract where he looks likely to fail to end that run.
Horner has enjoyed bountiful success in the same period, but with a very different managerial set-up than what goes down at Maranello.
Understandably, Hamilton may have second thoughts about working under Horner if Ferrari decide to change direction so quickly after his move from Mercedes.
Horner suggested Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was a good idea, but whether the seven-time world champion would say the same thing if they end up working together is another matter.
