Christian Horner has played down speculation linking him with a move to Ferrari after describing the Scuderia as a “dream” earlier this week. According to Sky Sports F1 insider Martin Brundle, the former Red Bull team principal was simply being respectful towards Ferrari and has no specific Formula 1 role in mind at present.
Horner sparked speculation during an interview with The Times when he was asked whether Ferrari was a team he could imagine working for if he returned to Formula 1.
The 51-year-old suggested that, while he would prefer to return as a part-owner of a racing team, Ferrari would be the exception.
“Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And you could say it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.”
Those comments quickly fuelled suggestions that Horner could eventually replace Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur.
Ferrari has backed Frederic Vasseur
The speculation comes at a time when Vasseur has faced criticism over Ferrari’s performances and the team’s progress under his leadership.
However, Ferrari has indicated that it intends to continue working with the Frenchman, making a move for Horner appear considerably less immediate.
Brundle has now provided further context after speaking directly with Horner about the speculation.
According to the former Formula 1 driver, Horner believes his comments about Ferrari were taken far beyond what he intended.
Horner says comments were “blown completely out of proportion”
Brundle explained that he contacted Horner after seeing the growing speculation surrounding a potential move to Maranello.
“There’s been a lot of talk this week about Horner moving to Ferrari. So I called Christian to find out all about it, and he said: ‘In another interview I gave, I was just being polite and respectful towards Ferrari, and it’s been blown completely out of proportion.’”
Brundle nevertheless suggested that Horner remains open to returning to Formula 1 if the right opportunity eventually presents itself.
“He is interested in taking over as team boss, because he told me that he is not interested in anything specific in Formula 1 at the moment until the right opportunity arises,” Brundle said.
That distinction is important. Horner has not ruled out a return to the paddock, but his comments do not amount to an indication that he is actively pursuing the Ferrari position.
Brundle questions another Ferrari leadership change
Brundle also questioned whether another change at the top would necessarily benefit Ferrari.
The Scuderia has already undergone several significant changes in recent years, while Vasseur was appointed team principal in 2023 after replacing Mattia Binotto.
“I don’t think it makes sense to constantly change the boss, as you see in football. It makes no sense to constantly replace your key person,” Brundle emphasized.
Horner’s comments therefore appear to have generated considerably more speculation than he intended.
For now, there is no indication from Ferrari that Vasseur’s position is about to change, while Horner appears to be keeping his options open rather than targeting a specific team.
His description of Ferrari as a “dream” has nevertheless ensured that any future change at Maranello is likely to bring his name back into the conversation.
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I felt that is EXACTLY what CH was saying … blame those journalists for trying to make something out of an innocent response from him