The Formula 1 paddock is in turmoil following increasingly persistent rumors that Christian Horner, the historic Team Principal of Red Bull Racing, is ready to bid farewell to the Austrian team and join… Ferrari. A move that, if confirmed, would shake the very foundations of the sport’s power structure.
After more than a decade of success, controversy, and dominance—first with Sebastian Vettel and later with Max Verstappen—Horner now appears poised to turn the page. But why now? And why Ferrari?
A butterfly effect that could change F1?
Rumors suggest Horner has become increasingly isolated at Milton Keynes, under pressure from internal tensions, media controversies, and a technical direction that no longer grants him full control. On the other hand, Ferrari is undergoing a critical transitional phase: Lewis Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 is only the start of a silent revolution, one that could now accelerate dramatically with Horner at the helm.
Sources close to Maranello whisper that John Elkann and Frédéric Vasseur are evaluating a leadership shake-up to restore the strategic and political stability the Scuderia has lost in recent years. And Horner—with his résumé, charisma, and, let’s not forget, his skill in managing “oversized egos”—is seen as the perfect candidate.
Hamilton at the center of power
But the real focal point isn’t just Horner—it’s Lewis Hamilton. If the British driver ends up working alongside Horner, with whom he’s had close contact in the past but never a true collaboration, the message to the entire paddock will be crystal clear: Ferrari is no longer just a legendary team, but is becoming the epicenter of a new F1 geopolitical order.
With Horner on the pit wall and Hamilton on track, a powerful Anglo-Saxon axis could form within an Italian structure, ready to challenge Red Bull on technical, strategic, and even symbolic levels.
And Verstappen?
The big question mark hangs over Max Verstappen. If Horner truly leaves, a domino effect within Red Bull seems inevitable. The Dutch champion, closely tied to the British team principal, may reconsider his long-term plans. There is already talk of exploratory contact with Mercedes, and Horner’s potential departure could accelerate everything.
