Christian Horner Linked to Ferrari as Fred Vasseur Faces Mounting Pressure
Christian Horner has emerged as a top candidate for Ferrari’s team principal role, with Fred Vasseur under increasing scrutiny following a difficult 2025 Formula 1 season. The Maranello squad remains winless this year, raising questions over Fred Vasseur’s long-term position despite his multi-year contract extension earlier in 2025.
Horner, 51, is set to return to Formula 1 in 2026 after completing a period of gardening leave following his departure from Red Bull. He was officially dismissed as team principal in July and fully relieved of his duties by September. Since then, several F1 teams have been linked with the former Red Bull chief, though potential moves to Haas and Aston Martin have been ruled out. Reports now indicate that Ferrari is the most serious suitor for Horner, with chairman John Elkann reportedly keen to bring him to Maranello.
Horner’s potential salary could dwarf Fred Vasseur’s
Industry insiders suggest that any deal to bring Horner to Ferrari would involve a significant financial commitment. According to journalist Roberto Chinchero, Christian Horner is unlikely to accept a salary lower than what he earned at Red Bull, where he was paid approximately £80 million to terminate his contract that ran until 2030. This would represent roughly two and a half times the salary currently drawn by Fred Vasseur at Ferrari.
Chinchero also noted that Horner would expect a substantial degree of autonomy, potentially requiring long-term contractual guarantees and broad control over the team’s operations. However, achieving this at Ferrari would be far more complex than at Red Bull, as Maranello’s structure involves a president, CEO, and multiple layers of management, making complete managerial control more challenging than in other F1 teams.
Horner’s ambitions could complicate a move to Maranello
Christian Horner is reportedly interested in taking on an ownership or equity stake in any team he joins, a model he explored previously. This ambition could pose a major hurdle at Ferrari, as the Italian team is highly unlikely to offer a shareholding. A similar situation arose with Adrian Newey, who eventually moved to Aston Martin after Ferrari declined to sell a stake.
Despite these challenges, reports suggest that Ferrari’s leadership remains determined to explore Christian Horner’s potential arrival. The deal would require careful negotiation, balancing Horner’s desire for authority and financial terms with Ferrari’s existing management structure. As such, while the interest is strong, it remains uncertain whether a formal agreement will be reached.
Implications for Ferrari and F1
If the former Red Bull man were to join Ferrari, it would represent one of the most high-profile team principal moves in recent F1 history, potentially reshaping the team’s competitive direction. With Ferrari seeking to regain a championship-winning formula after a winless 2025 season, Horner’s experience, strategic acumen, and previous success at Red Bull make him a tantalizing option. Nevertheless, the challenges of integrating a high-profile F1 executive into Ferrari’s complex governance framework may limit the feasibility of such a high-stakes transition.
For now, the potential Horner-Ferrari partnership remains in the speculative stage, with both sides reportedly engaging in exploratory discussions. Whether this leads to a groundbreaking appointment or remains a high-profile rumor will be closely watched by fans and F1 insiders alike.
