Schumacher disgusted by Horner’s behavior: ‘Beneath contempt’

Christian Horner left Red Bull Racing under pressure last year, but he seems far from intending to disappear from Formula 1 for good. In recent months, the Brit has spoken multiple times about his future, explicitly mentioning Ferrari as an option. Recently, he said it would be an absolute dream job to take charge of the Scuderia.

Schumacher has little sympathy for the way Horner is publicly putting himself in the shop window. “Offering yourself like that is embarrassing enough in itself,” the former Formula 1 driver judged on the Sky podcast Backstage Boxengasse. “He constantly links himself to all kinds of teams. He more or less says himself: apparently I’m immediately a candidate to become team boss at any team as soon as a spot opens up somewhere.”

Moreover, Schumacher sees little merit in a potential collaboration between Horner and Ferrari. According to the German, any serious approach would take place behind the scenes, not in the way Horner is currently presenting himself publicly.

Fred Vasseur had already fired back with a jab at Horner’s open interest. The current Ferrari team boss stated that the Brit is simply looking for a job. When Vasseur was then asked whether he could ever work with Horner, he referred to his assistant. Schumacher appreciated that response. “I think that’s brilliant from Fred. There’s basically no other way to respond.”

The six-time Grand Prix winner also wonders where Horner could even still end up in Formula 1. According to Schumacher, the options for the former Red Bull team boss are limited. “I think it also shows that Horner himself knows there’s no way back for him. I wouldn’t know which team would still take him. He already tried in America with Cadillac and that didn’t work out. I don’t know who should hire him now.”

While Horner is actively marketing himself for a new role in Formula 1, he is simultaneously hitting out hard at people with whom he worked for years at Red Bull. For instance, Horner said he lost faith in Adrian Newey as early as 2014.

Horner is said to have supported the top designer at the time when Newey was considering leaving Red Bull. Years later, when Horner himself came under pressure and ultimately had to leave, he claims he did not receive that same support from Newey.

Helmut Marko was not spared by Horner either. The Brit claimed that Marko initially did not want to sign Max Verstappen because of his father Jos. According to Horner, Marko considered Jos a “nightmare” and therefore initially saw nothing in bringing in the young Verstappen. “I think it’s absolutely not done to attack Dr. Helmut Marko, because that story is absolutely not true,” Schumacher responds.

According to Schumacher, it was actually Marko who tried to bring Verstappen in at a very young age. Jos Verstappen is said to have indicated at the time that he felt his son was too young for that. Years later, the two parties met again when Verstappen was active in Formula 3. “Since then they’ve been a unit, and that has very little to do with Christian Horner.”

The German also pointed to the power struggle that previously tore Red Bull apart and the stance the Verstappen family took in it. “During the entire conflict it was also clear whom the Verstappen family stood behind when Christian Horner tried to seize power within the team. Apparently that’s all been forgotten already.”

The fact that, after his departure, Horner is publicly settling scores with former colleagues goes down particularly badly with Schumacher. The German also recalled a personal experience with the former team boss. “When you talk about class, Christian Horner isn’t the first name that comes to my mind. That just has to be said. We all know that,” Schumacher began.

Precisely given the enormous success Horner achieved at Red Bull, Schumacher does not understand why the Brit is opting for this approach now. Horner led the team for years and became one of the most successful team bosses in Formula 1 history. “I think it’s a pity in a way, because he has achieved an incredible amount. He was and is one of the most successful team bosses in Formula 1.”

According to Schumacher, Horner should actually realize how much he owes to Red Bull and the people within the Austrian team. “He should not forget what his former colleagues, partners, and Red Bull have done for him and what opportunity he was given at the time.”

Schumacher therefore does not understand why Horner seems keen to settle so many old scores after his departure. “I don’t know what’s going on in his head. Above all, I think it’s a shame. You just don’t kick like that afterwards. I also don’t know why he apparently feels he has to do all this now.”