Bernie Ecclestone reveals he wanted Christian Horner to take charge of Ferrari after Red Bull exit
Christian Horner’s future in Formula 1 continues to generate widespread speculation, and former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has now revealed that he hoped the long-serving Red Bull team principal would make a surprise move to Ferrari after leaving the Milton Keynes outfit.
Following the end of his remarkable two-decade spell leading Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner has been linked with several ambitious Formula 1 projects. While no official announcement regarding his next destination has been made, his name has repeatedly surfaced in connection with Ferrari, Aston Martin and, more recently, Alpine.
According to Bernie Ecclestone, however, the Italian side would have represented the ideal opportunity for one of Formula 1’s most successful team principals.
Bernie Ecclestone believed Ferrari should have pursued Christian Horner
Speaking about Christian Horner’s situation, Bernie Ecclestone acknowledged that the British manager faces a unique challenge regardless of which team he eventually joins.
After enjoying extraordinary success at Red Bull, where he guided the team to multiple Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, expectations surrounding Christian Horner’s next move will inevitably be enormous. Bernie Ecclestone suggested that anything less than immediate success could quickly become the focus of criticism, with many observers likely to attribute Horner’s previous achievements solely to Red Bull’s vast financial resources rather than his leadership.
For that reason, Bernie Ecclestone believes Christian Horner is entering one of the most delicate periods of his Formula 1 career, as every future result will inevitably be compared with the standards he established during his years at Red Bull.
Ferrari was the destination Bernie Ecclestone had in mind
Although several teams have reportedly explored the possibility of recruiting Christian Horner over the past year, Bernie Ecclestone admitted that he personally tried to steer him toward Maranello.
The former Formula 1 supremo revealed that he has remained in regular contact with Christian Horner since his departure from Red Bull and explained that, during their conversations, he encouraged him to seriously consider joining Ferrari.
Such a move would certainly have ranked among the biggest management changes in recent Formula 1 history. Ferrari has spent recent seasons rebuilding under Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, while simultaneously launching a new era with Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc. Bringing Christian Horner into that environment would have represented another dramatic shift for the Scuderia.
Several Formula 1 teams continue to monitor Horner’s future
Since becoming available, Christian Horner has consistently featured in speculation surrounding several leading Formula 1 organisations.
Aston Martin was initially viewed as one possible destination given the team’s ambitious long-term project and substantial investment in facilities and personnel. More recently, attention has shifted toward Alpine, where reports have suggested that Christian Horner could even become involved at ownership level through a consortium interested in acquiring Otro Capital’s minority stake in the Enstone-based operation.
While those reports remain unconfirmed, they underline the high regard in which Christian Horner continues to be held throughout the Formula 1 paddock.
A return to Formula 1 remains highly anticipated
Despite the widespread speculation, Bernie Ecclestone admitted that he has no clear idea where Christian Horner will eventually continue his Formula 1 career.
For now, the former Red Bull boss remains one of the sport’s most sought-after figures. With multiple teams continuing to evolve under the 2026 technical regulations and several major projects gathering momentum, Christian Horner’s eventual return could significantly reshape Formula 1’s competitive landscape.
Whether that future ultimately lies with Ferrari, Alpine, Aston Martin or another manufacturer altogether remains to be seen. What is certain is that, in Bernie Ecclestone’s view, Christian Horner possessed exactly the experience and leadership qualities that could have made him a compelling choice for Ferrari as the Italian team continues its pursuit of another world championship with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
