Horner move to Mercedes or Ferrari? Personally, he doesn't see it happening
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- Toby McLuskie
Christian Horner has been around in Formula 1 for years. The 51-year-old Briton was appointed team boss of Red Bull Racing in 2005, the youngest team boss ever. Almost 20 years later, Horner is still in the same place, enjoying it. As such, he is not at all thinking of an early retirement or a move to another team.
Under Horner's leadership, Red Bull achieved great success. Between 2010 and 2013 there were four world titles for Sebastian Vettel and in the past two seasons, Max Verstappen was the best in the king class of motorsport. The Austrian racing stable has the momentum and - based on the very solid base in place - looks set to at least compete for more world championships in the coming years.
Motivation still high
Being a team boss is hard work, but Horner still thoroughly enjoys his job every day. When PlanetF1 asks him if he already knows when he would like to retire, Horner replies, "I never tend to look that far into the future. I enjoy what I do, I’m passionate about what I’m doing, I still have the same energy that I had 20 years ago when I came into this job, I’m still one of the younger team principals in the sport and I’ve got just as much motivation."
A new, exciting chapter is about to begin for Red Bull in the coming years. From 2026, the Milton Keynes-based formation will start building its own engines, together with partner Ford. The necessary preparations for this have already been made, but they are still working very hard every day to ensure a competitive car and engine will be on the grid from 2026.
Horner sees himself staying at Red Bull forever
For Horner, that project is far too fun and challenging to leave Red Bull now for another project. According to the rumour circuit, Horner was approached by Ferrari last year to succeed Mattia Binotto. The team boss of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez is said to have thanked and the interview does show that his priority is Red Bull.
"I couldn’t see myself being with another team. I feel so involved, obviously, having been there since the beginning. Having built this team and working with such great people like Adrian [Newey] and so many great, great talents that we have throughout the business. I couldn’t envisage putting on a different type of shirt. My commitment is absolute that I’ll continue to do it for as long as I feel motivated and capable" Horner said.
A move to Ferrari or Mercedes, for example, thus seems ruled out for Horner. Given the current rivalry between Red Bull and Toto Wolff's Mercedes, the latter was ruled out anyway.