John Elkann has consistently expressed his trust in Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur and has dismissed rumors of Christian Horner joining the Maranello squad. But could he be reconsidering?
After years of dominance at Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner left the Milton Keynes team earlier this year. Now, however, speculation suggests he may be ready to return to the Formula 1 paddock. Among the most discussed possibilities is a move to Ferrari, which has recently resurfaced at the top of Horner’s options despite Vasseur having his contract renewed over the summer. Elkann has always defended the work of his team principal, even in challenging times, and has never confirmed the rumors linking Horner to the Cavallino Rampante.
Renowned journalist Leo Turrini, in his blog Profondo Rosso, has analyzed Ferrari’s current situation, even drawing a comparison between Elkann’s management of the Scuderia and his role at Juventus.
Ferrari and Juventus: a parallel in management?
Could what happened at Juventus between 2024 and 2025 also happen at Ferrari? Turrini asked if a rapid change of mind by Elkann is possible. He suggested that while it might not make technological sense to reconsider changes after the F1-26 car is already developed, Elkann is known to act swiftly if results are lacking. Leo Turrini recalled how the Juventus president had previously backed manager Giuntoli and coach Motta, only to remove them quickly after disappointing performances. Similarly, in Stellantis, CEO Carlos Tavares fell out of favor almost instantly. Turrini concluded that Vasseur is well aware of these tendencies.
Ferrari’s challenging period
Ferrari is currently enduring a difficult phase, struggling to achieve consistent results. Leo Turrini noted, “Ferrari hasn’t won a championship in Formula 1 for nearly two decades. Meanwhile, a gentleman named Chris Horner has won an astonishing fourteen world titles with Red Bull — eight in the drivers’ championship with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, and six in the constructors’ championship.”
Turrini emphasized that Horner’s expertise is unquestionable, but he also highlighted the differences between F1 and football, where sometimes simply changing a coach can reverse fortunes. He added, “Take Jean Todt as an example: he joined Ferrari in 1993 and won his first championship in 1999, supported by an exceptional president like Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. Success in Formula 1 requires time, patience, and strong leadership.”
With the combination of Horner’s proven record and Ferrari’s current challenges, the question remains whether John Elkann might eventually reconsider his stance. While Fred Vasseur retains the full backing of the Scuderia today, the dynamic world of Formula 1 means that nothing is ever completely settled, leaving fans to wonder about potential future changes at Maranello.
