Lewis Hamilton Breaks Silence on Christian Horner-to-Ferrari Rumours Amid Scuderia’s Struggles
Lewis Hamilton has spoken publicly for the first time about speculation linking former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with a potential move to Ferrari, dismissing the reports as unnecessary distractions amid what has been a turbulent season for the Scuderia.
In recent weeks, several reports have surfaced suggesting that Ferrari chairman John Elkann has been in contact with Horner following his dramatic exit from Red Bull in July. The 51-year-old’s sudden departure from the Milton Keynes-based outfit marked the end of an era, and his next move has since been the subject of widespread speculation within the Formula 1 paddock.
According to Italian media outlets, Elkann is exploring the possibility of bringing Horner onboard as part of a wider restructuring effort at Maranello. The rumour has gained traction as Ferrari continues to endure a disappointing 2025 campaign, having failed to secure a single Grand Prix victory so far. Despite flashes of competitiveness, the team has struggled to match the consistency and pace shown by rivals Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren.
However, Ferrari’s current team principal, Fred Vasseur, is believed to have the full backing of the team’s hierarchy. The Frenchman signed a multi-year contract extension in July, a move that was intended to reinforce stability within the team ahead of the major regulation changes set to take effect in 2026.
Speaking during Thursday’s FIA press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Hamilton addressed the growing speculation and made it clear that both he and the team remain committed to their current leadership structure.
“It’s a little bit distracting for us as a team,” Hamilton admitted. “The team have made it very clear where they stand in terms of re-signing Fred. He and the entire team are working incredibly hard to build something strong for the future.”
The seven-time world champion, who joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season in a move that stunned the motorsport world, has endured a challenging debut year with the Italian outfit. Despite flashes of promise, Hamilton is yet to stand on the podium and has often expressed frustration at the SF-25’s lack of performance and reliability.
When asked directly whether he believed there was any truth to the rumours of Horner being approached by Ferrari, or if he thought the former Red Bull boss would be a good fit for the team, Hamilton was quick to shut down the speculation.
“I don’t [know anything about it], and I’m not going to entertain rumours,” he said firmly. “My focus is on helping the team move forward and get back to where we should be — fighting for wins. There’s a lot of noise around us, but internally, we know what we’re working towards.”
Hamilton’s comments reflect a growing sense of frustration within Ferrari as external speculation threatens to overshadow their on-track efforts. The team’s struggles have been particularly noticeable in the latter half of the season, with both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc often finding themselves battling in the midfield rather than contending for podiums.
Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, also addressed the Horner rumours during media duties in Austin, expressing concern over the potential impact such stories could have on team morale.
“It’s not something you want to read,” Leclerc admitted. “We are fully focused on our goals and on improving the car. I try to ignore that kind of talk completely and focus on my job — and I think that’s what the team is doing as well. It’s never pleasant to hear these things, especially when we’re trying to build momentum together.”
Both drivers’ remarks make it clear that Ferrari is standing behind Vasseur, whose leadership has been instrumental in reorganising the technical and operational structure of the team. The Frenchman is said to be spearheading preparations for the 2026 regulation overhaul, when Formula 1’s new power unit and aerodynamic rules will come into play — a critical opportunity for Ferrari to reset and return to championship contention.
For now, Hamilton and Leclerc are determined to block out the noise and focus on finishing the 2025 season as strongly as possible. With McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull continuing to set the pace, Ferrari’s immediate priority remains closing the performance gap rather than entertaining off-track speculation.
As Hamilton succinctly put it: “Rumours don’t win races — teamwork and hard work do.”
