Christian Horner calls Ferrari ‘the dream’ as he reveals F1 return condition
Horner could be tempted back by Ferrari (Photo: Race Pictures)
11:16, 25 Sep
1 Comments
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Christian Horner has laid out his conditions for a Formula 1 return, but revealed the one team they don’t apply to.
The former Red Bull CEO and team principal has been out of work since July 2025, but is repeatedly linked to a return up and down the grid.
Williams, Alpine and Aston Martin have all seen their names rumoured alongside Horner, who is one of the most successful executives in F1 history with eight drivers’ and six constructors’ titles to his name.
Yet he’s confirmed the understanding that he only wants to come back if an ownership stake is on the table.
ADVERTISEMENT
Horner calls Ferrari ‘the dream’
He told The Times: “I’ve been a hired hand. I did 21 years sitting on the pit wall. I don’t need to go back to that.”
However, Horner then went on to reveal the one exception to the 11-team rule he’s self-imposed.
He added: “At this stage in my life, there’s only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership.
“Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferrari are the sport’s most successful team, but last won a title in 2007, two years after Horner started at Red Bull and put them on course to win after win.
The role of team principal is currently occupied by Fred Vasseur, but Horner is happy to see his name still making headlines in his absence.
“I think the fact that, 14 months out of the sport, they’re still talking about me shows that there’s still a demand,” he said. “Perhaps I wasn’t that unpopular.”
One person who has surprisingly admitted nostalgia for Horner is Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff, who has spoken about a lack of personalities in team leadership.
The pair had a bitter and often vitriolic rivalry, but like Wolff, Horner too thinks the sport is missing their conflict.
ADVERTISEMENT
Horner believes F1 is missing Wolff rivalry
He said: “There comes a point in time where a team’s competitiveness outweighs other egotistical stuff.
“I’m in a very fortunate position that I can afford to be picky. If I don’t do anything, I can live here for whatever time I’ve got left on the planet, and just worry about whether it’s going to rain and make the grass green or not.
Horner isn't the only one missing his Wolff rivalry (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
ADVERTISEMENT
“But is that going to fulfil me? No. I still feel that there’s another dance. And Toto needs to have his hair f***ing ruffled up.
“He’s having it easy while I’m not there. So why would he want me back? I’m probably going to give him a harder time than anybody else.”
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Overview
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
08:30 AM
Practice 2
12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
08:30 AM
Qualification
12:00 PM
Saturday 26.09.26
Race
11:00 AM
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
Thu 08:30 AM
Practice 2
Thu 12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
Fri 08:30 AM
Qualification
Fri 12:00 PM
Saturday 26.09.26
Race
Sat 11:00 AM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
Hamilton learns stewards’ verdict after ‘dangerous’ Azerbaijan FP2 incident with Lawson
6254 times read
2
Audi reaches final decision over its 2027 F1 driver line-up
1699 times read
3
Cadillac hires former Red Bull key figure, but Alpine blocks the move for now
1175 times read
4
Verstappen receives the confirmation he wanted from Red Bull in Baku
1162 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 292 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 211 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 191 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 186 | |
5 | FerrariFER | 167 | |
6 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 145 | |
7 | McLarenMCL | 120 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 71 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 59 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 41 |
Loading
