Horner would only return to pit wall for 'dream' Ferrari job

Christian Horner has been out of F1 since being sacked as Red Bull team principal in July 2025; watch the Azerbaijan GP on Saturday at 12pm with build-up from 10.30am, live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event

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>Christian Horner says a "dream" role at Ferrari is the only Formula 1 job that could tempt him back onto the pit wall without an ownership stake.

>Horner was relieved of his dual roles as Red Bull team principal and chief executive following the British Grand Prix in July 2025, ending a hugely successful 20-year stint running the Milton Keynes squad.

>Having seen out a period following his Red Bull departure during which he was unable to take up work with other teams, Horner has been exploring possible routes back into F1, with his preferred option being to acquire equity of a team.

>However, with a viable opportunity yet to materialise on that front, Horner has admitted Ferrari are the only team he would consider joining in a regular team principal position.

>"I've been a hired hand. I did 21 years sitting on the pit wall. I don't need to go back to that," Horner told The Times.

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>"At this stage in my life, there's only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership.

>"Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It's the dream. And arguably it's the sleeping giant of Formula 1."

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>Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur signed a multi-year contract extension in July 2025, but appears to have once more failed to end the Italian squad's wait for a constructors' or drivers' title, which stretches back to 2008.

>Horner oversaw two periods of Red Bull dominance in F1, with Sebastian Vettel and the team winning four consecutive drivers' and constructors' championships from 2010-2013 and Max Verstappen winning four drivers' championships from 2021-2024, along with constructors' titles in 2022 and 2023.

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>He added: "I think the fact that, 14 months out of the sport, they're still talking about me shows that there's still a demand. Perhaps I wasn't that unpopular."

>When asked if he could be back on the F1 grid by next year, Horner replied: "I don't know. I'm the cure and the problem."

>The last decade of Horner's tenure at Red Bull saw the development of an often-bitter feud with his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff.

>The pair made no secret of their distaste for each other as their teams battled for titles, most notably when Verstappen controversially pipped Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 drivers' title.

>Considering his motivations for returning to F1, Horner revealed his belief that Wolff is "having it easy" in his absence.

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>"There comes a point in time where a team's competitiveness outweighs other egotistical stuff," Horner said.

>"I'm in a very fortunate position that I can afford to be picky. If I don't do anything, I can live here for whatever time I've got left on the planet, and just worry about whether it's going to rain and make the grass green or not.

>"But is that going to fulfil me? No. I still feel that there's another dance. And Toto needs to have his hair f****** ruffled up.

>"He's having it easy while I'm not there. So why would he want me back? I'm probably going to give him a harder time than anybody else."

>Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at 12pm (build-up from 10.30am). Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime