Christian Horner Responds to Ferrari Switch Rumors Amid Red Bull Tension
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner restated his commitment to the Red Bull Racing project after rumors had circulated about a potential offer from Ferrari.
Reports came from the German publication Bild in the lead-up to the Spanish Grand Prix that Horner had been contacted by Ferrari chairman John Elkann.
Elkann and Horner have had a long-standing relationship that dates back years, and rumors have always persisted that the Italian race team has long wanted to add Horner to the project.
Christian Horner of Great Britain and Oracle Red Bull Racing during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. The investigation into Christian Horner has come...
Christian Horner of Great Britain and Oracle Red Bull Racing during the F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 28, 2024 in Spa, Belgium. The investigation into Christian Horner has come to an end. More
Vince Mignott/In response to the latest links to Ferrari, Horner said he was still committed to Red Bull, but did not deny that an offer was made or discussed.
"Of course it's always flattering to be associated with other teams but my commitment 100 percent is with Red Bull," Horner said during a Spanish GP press conference.
"It always has been and certainly will be for the long term.
"There's a bunch of speculation always in this business. People coming here, going there or whatever. I think people within the team know exactly what the situation is."
Horner also made a quick aside as Alpine senior official Flavio Briatore spoke in broken English.
"My Italian is worse than Flavio's English, so how on earth would that work?" Horner said.
More news: Albon Speaks Out After Controversial Clash With Leclerc - 'P4 Was Possible'
Horner was reportedly offered the Ferrari head role in 2022, when the team parted ways with Mattia Binotto, though Horner rejected the offer, and instead the Scuderia went with former Sauber team boss Fred Vasseur.
There has been plenty of discussion regarding Horner's future at Red Bull, given that the team has struggled to repeat its dominant success.
There are also murmurs of a rift between Horner and senior advisor Helmut Marko, along with issues with Max Verstappen's camp as well.
For the time being, the Red Bull leadership is seemingly focused on trying to get the best possible results.
Even with the RB-21 struggling compared to the field, Red Bull is still in the middle of a title fight.
Verstappen is only 25 points shy of Oscar Piastri for the lead in the Drivers' Championship.
McLaren is the best car in the field so far, though Red Bull will likely respond with upgrades throughout the season.
This off-season could lead to a massive internal shake-up at Red Bull if the team does not win.
More news: Yuki Tsunoda Fires Back at Online Abuse As He Considers F1 Intervention
For more F1, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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