Red Bull chief Christian Horner lifts lid on 'flattering' Ferrari switch rumours
Christian Horner has been linked with a surprise move to Ferrari, but the Red Bull team principal has moved to shut down the rumours ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix
Christian Horner has insisted he remains fully committed to Red Bull, despite reports linking him with a move to Ferrari. Horner is one of the most successful team principals in the history of Formula One, having overseen eight world title wins at Red Bull.
However, the 51-year-old is out of contract next year and has been involved in a power struggle with Helmut Marko in recent years. Max Verstappen's father, Jos, has also publicly criticised Horner.
It was recently reported by German outlet Bild that Ferrari are hoping to poach Horner, with chairman John Elkann said to be an admirer. And despite admitting that he feels flattered to have been linked with Ferrari, Horner has shut down talk of a move.
"Of course it's always flattering to be associated with other teams but my commitment 100 per cent is with Red Bull," he said. "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. My Italian is worse than Flavio [Briatore's] English, so how on earth would that work?"
Horner's current focus is the ongoing F1 season, with Verstappen currently third in the drivers' standings behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Just 25 points separate the trio and Horner has sent a message to Verstappen ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
"We need to make sure that we take points off at least one of the McLarens this weekend," Horner said. "We've got to start nibbling into... We're one race win away, 25 points in the scheme of the championship can disappear like that.
"So we have to keep in touch, we have to keep putting pressure on them and we have to put performance on the car. They're the fundamentals."
Horner also addressed rumours about Verstappen's future, claiming he is "absolutely" confident that the Dutchman will remain at Red Bull. "Yeah, absolutely. Max knows the commitment from the team," he said.
"He knows and we know what he expects from the team. He believes in the people that are around him. Nothing is ever absolutely guaranteed in life, but everybody knows where they're at.
"We're never going to discuss contracts with drivers in public. There's speculation about everything these days so it'll be something else tomorrow."
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