Christian Horner is reportedly in talks to join Sir Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari and become the Formula 1 legend’s new team principal.
Horner was axed by Red Bull in July after 20 years in charge and is keen to make a swift return to the grid after agreeing an £80million severance package with his former team.
That deal allows the 51-year-old, husband of Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, to be employed by a rival F1 outfit as early as April next year and it seems he has wasted no time in plotting his comeback.
Speaking at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Aston Martin CEO Andy Cowell said: ‘It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment.’
Aston Martin, Alpine and Haas have been linked with his services, though all three have publicly distanced themselves from the rumours, as has Williams and Cadillac, who are joining the grid in 2026.
Ferrari also appeared to rule out hiring the Brit over the summer, with reports claiming they were negotiating a contract extension with current boss Frederic Vasseur.
However, according to the Daily Mail, that no longer is the case as the Scuderia’s president John Elkann has lost faith in Vasseur and is trying to woo Horner to Maranello.
Ferrari have not won a championship since 2008 and are enduring a very tough season, with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton very likely to end the year win-less.
Moreover, the seven-time world champion is yet to finish on the podium since leaving Mercedes and has casted doubt over his future in the sport on several occasions.
Ferrari have made numerous attempts to sign Horner over the years but he remained committed to Red Bull, with whom he won six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles through Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
It is said that talks are ongoing with other teams and there is doubt over whether Ferrari and Horner would be a good match, partly as it would mean he and his family relocating to Italy.
Furthermore, it is believed Horner would like to buy a stake in the team he joins, perhaps with some of the severance package, and that would almost certainly not happen with such a big manufacture like Ferrari.
It would also mean linking up with Hamilton, with whom he does not have the best relationship due to their intense rivalry while at Red Bull and Mercedes, and the driver is also a huge supporter of Vasseur, citing the Frenchman as the reason he joined Ferrari in the first place.
Christian Horner: Ferrari links ‘very flattering’
Prior to leaving Red Bull, Horner addressed rumours linking him with Ferrari, telling Sky Sports in May:
‘It’s always very flattering to be associated with other teams.
‘My whole career has been spent with Red Bull and I’m absolutely committed to this team. There are so many rumours and speculations these days, it’s not even worth listening to.’
Horner’s time at Red Bull came to an end after a poor start to the season that followed them losing the 2024 constructors’ title despite Verstappen’s triumph.
Tensions were already high at the team after Horner was accused of coercive behaviour towards a female employee, allegations he was twice cleared of following internal investigations.
The 2025 F1 season is drawing to a close with the title fight between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris resuming this weekend at the United States Grand Prix.
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