Christian Horner details Ferrari phone call and why he rejected offer to replace Mattia Binotto

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has appeared to confirm that Scuderia Ferrari reached out to him this winter in order to to discuss a possible move to Maranello as a potential replacement for Mattia Binotto. The Italian manager, who handed in his resignation at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 championship, left the Maranello team after almost three decades and in the last four years he had been in charge of the Ferrari Racing Division.

There were many names reported in the Italian and international media as possible replacements for Mattia Binotto, before the Ferrari senior management officially confirmed that Frederic Vasseur would be appointed as the new team principal, with the French manager who began his activity in Maranello a few weeks ago.

In December, Sky Sports reported that Scuderia Ferrari had ‘sounded out Christian Horner’ about the possibility of taking over the role of Ferrari team boss, but the British former racing driver confirmed that he had no intention to leave Red Bull at this stage of his career. And in a recent interview for the German automobile magazine Auto Motor und Sport, often stylized as auto motor und sport and abbreviated AMS or AMuS, Christian Horner pointed out that it was “hugely flattering to have been asked by Ferrari” but explained he had never been tempted to leave the Austrian side.

“To be honest with you no,” Christian Horner replied when questioned about a possible shock move to Maranello – “I have been here since the very beginning, I feel very much, you know, responsible for the team. It’s a great group of people that I work with and I’ve never been tempted away. I feel a loyalty to Red Bull and of course the people here. When you’re working with such a great team, why would you want to be anywhere else? It’s hugely flattering to have been asked by Scuderia Ferrari, but they’re a great team and I’m sure they’re going to be very competitive.” – the Red Bull boss continued.

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Christian Horner also denied the rumour of Red Bull offering Mattia Binotto a role with their team, concluding: “I don’t see what role he would perform. Obviously it was tough for him last year with Ferrari because they did make a big step forward, but maybe there’s other opportunities for him further down the grid.”