Horner not surprised that Hamilton is leaving Mercedes but questions timing

Over the years, Lewis Hamilton has been Red Bull Racing's biggest rival. From 2025, the seven-time world champion will no longer be driving for Mercedes. He will move to Ferrari. In early February, the Brit announced his switch to the Italian team. Christian Horner looks forward to seeing Hamilton in Ferrari's scarlet red.

Following the presentation of the RB20 - the car with which Max Verstappen hopes to take his fourth world title in a row - Horner addressed the story. "Difficult for us to judge [if this is in favor of Red Bull]," the Austrian's team boss responded to the media, including GPblog. "It's an unusual timing to announce. Lewis is not afraid of making bold decisions as he did previously moving from Mclaren to Mercedes."

"He's obviously seen something in Ferrari that he believes to be the better place for his future. I think it’s great for Formula One that you'll have a Hamilton Ferrari combination. It’s a shame we have to wait until 2025."

Hamilton previously considered switch to Red Bull

Earlier, Horner revealed that Hamilton's father had inquired at Red Bull whether there might be a place for Hamilton there. In hindsight, that may have been an indication that the British driver was out of place at Mercedes. So Horner was not really surprised: "Yes and no. I suppose yes with the timing, no with the change."