Christian Horner denies Ferrari wwitch rumors, reaffirms commitment to Red Bull
Christian Horner Dismisses Ferrari Rumors: “100 Percent Commitment to Red Bull”
BARCELONA, Spain — Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has emphatically dismissed speculation linking him to a potential move to Ferrari, stating his unwavering "100 percent" commitment to his current team.
The rumors surfaced earlier this week in a report from German publication Bild, which claimed Ferrari chairman John Elkann had approached Horner about taking over from current team boss Fred Vasseur. Elkann and Horner are known to have a longstanding friendship, but Horner clarified his stance while declining to completely deny whether contact had occurred.
Speaking to the media at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Horner addressed the swirling rumors without hesitation:
"Of course it's always flattering to be associated with other teams, but my commitment 100 percent is with Red Bull," Horner 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."
Lighthearted Response Amid Speculation
While Horner firmly shut down talk of pursuing a role with Ferrari, he offered a lighthearted jab during the news conference, seated alongside Alpine racing advisor Flavio Briatore:
"My Italian is worse than Flavio's English," Horner joked, "so how on earth would that work?"
The connection between Horner and Ferrari is not new. Elkann reportedly made an approach for Horner in 2022 during Ferrari’s search for a successor to Mattia Binotto. Horner declined the opportunity, and Ferrari ultimately named Fred Vasseur as team principal.
Pressure Mounting on Vasseur
Vasseur has since earned praise for stabilizing Ferrari’s race operations after Binotto’s departure. However, pressure is mounting on the Frenchman after a series of disappointing performances this season. Once tipped to contend for the championship, Ferrari has struggled to match even McLaren’s pace, failing to deliver the results many expected.
This year's campaign has been notably tough for Ferrari despite preseason optimism generated by Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at the team. Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, has yet to step onto the podium in traditional race format, though he did manage to win the sprint race in China earlier this season. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc has delivered Ferrari's only two podium finishes.
Ferrari Facing Scrutiny
The struggles have led some to question Vasseur’s leadership, sparking speculation that Ferrari could potentially pursue alternative management options. Vasseur has yet to officially comment on the Bild story or weigh in on the growing pressure surrounding his team’s performance.
Horner's firm denial appears to shut the door on any immediate prospect of him leaving Red Bull, the team he helped build into a Formula 1 powerhouse. Ferrari, however, will likely face further scrutiny in the weeks ahead as they attempt to salvage their season.
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