Ferrari Urged to Drop Christian Horner Pursuit as Vasseur Fumes Over Exit Rumors.
Ferrari have been advised to halt their rumored pursuit of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner amid growing speculation surrounding Fred Vasseur’s future with the Scuderia. According to a recent Express Sport poll, fans overwhelmingly believe that luring Horner away from Red Bull would not resolve Ferrari’s underlying issues, despite mounting pressure on Vasseur after a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Vasseur, who took over as Ferrari’s team principal in 2023 after a stint with Alfa Romeo, entered this season with high expectations. Following a strong 2024 campaign that saw Ferrari narrowly miss out on second place in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren, hopes were high for a serious title challenge in 2025. However, those ambitions quickly unraveled after a disastrous showing at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc failed to impress.
While Mercedes showed significant improvement and McLaren extended their dominance, Ferrari looked lost for answers. The poor form has intensified scrutiny on Vasseur, who in Canada vented his frustration at the relentless rumors and criticism from the Italian press. The outburst reflected a man feeling the heat as Ferrari falters in their quest for a return to the top.
As speculation over Vasseur’s position grows, reports have linked Red Bull’s Horner as a potential replacement. Having led Red Bull to eight Drivers’ Championships and multiple Constructors’ titles since joining the team at its inception, Horner remains one of the most successful and experienced figures on the grid. Yet, despite Red Bull’s continued success, recent internal tensions at the Milton Keynes-based outfit have fueled rumors that Horner could be open to a new challenge.
Nevertheless, Express Sport readers appear unconvinced that Horner is the solution to Ferrari’s woes. In a survey of over 4,200 participants, a resounding 83% said that appointing Horner would not solve the team’s current problems, while only 17% backed the idea of him taking over the reins at Maranello.
Horner himself has played down speculation regarding a move, reaffirming his commitment to Red Bull during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Speaking to PlanetF1, Horner acknowledged the rumors but emphasized his deep connection to the team he helped build from the ground up.
“Over the years, I’ve had various approaches, and while it’s always flattering to be linked with top teams, my heart is here,” Horner said. “I’ve invested so much of my life into Red Bull Racing. This is more than just a job—it’s a family, a team of over 2,000 people I feel responsible for.”
Horner also highlighted Red Bull’s future plans, including their ambitious in-house engine development program, as a key reason for staying. “What we’re building for the future—designing our own engine and having everything under one roof—is incredibly exciting. Not many teams have done that. It’s a huge challenge, but one we’re embracing fully.”
He also pointed to the loyalty and relationships he has cultivated with Red Bull’s partners and sponsors, saying, “We now have 58 commercial partners I’ve personally helped bring in. That kind of continuity and trust isn’t easy to replicate elsewhere.”
While Ferrari’s leadership faces difficult decisions in the coming months, the prevailing sentiment among fans and Horner himself suggests that a high-profile switch may not be the panacea the Scuderia needs. For now, Ferrari must find a way to regroup under Vasseur or risk another lost season as their rivals continue to surge ahead.
