Horner’s friend hints at obstacle to possible Ferrari move: 'Still talking about that story’

Last week marked the end of Horner’s twenty-year era at Red Bull Racing. Under his leadership, the team won fourteen world titles with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. However, due to internal tensions and the uncertain future of Verstappen, the board in Austria decided it was time for a new start. Horner was dismissed after the British Grand Prix.

Although Horner could be of interest to different F1 teams due to his experience and record, his market position is complicated, according to Patrese. Teams like Alpine have been mentioned as a possible option – though collaboration with Mercedes might pose a hurdle – but Ferrari is also rumoured to be linked to Horner.

Patrese, however, thinks that Horner’s image will stand in the way. In 2024, Horner became the subject of an internal Red Bull investigation after an accusation of inappropriate behaviour by a female staff member. Although he was eventually exonerated, the issue, according to Patrese, lingers.

“Horner is very good, but I think that all the stories from last year would be a problem,” he says in a conversation with a betting site. “He can put on the table his record over the last 20 years. He has a very good pedigree. But one year on, they are still talking about this story.”

According to Patrese, Ferrari now enjoys calm. “But after the storms and the tornadoes at Ferrari, I think the air is getting better. It looks like, at the moment, everything is sleeping regarding Vasseur. The speculation has stopped.”

The 71-year-old, however, did not rule out that Ferrari might stick with the current team boss. “I'm a friend of Christian Horner and sent him a message of support, and I think that he is a very good team principal. I think he's able to do the job, but Ferrari wants to have an image and not many distractions. This is my opinion,” he concludes.