CHRISTIAN HORNER is in line for a sensational return to Formula One that would pair him with the most successful constructor and driver in the motorsports history.
Reports emerged yesterday that Horner was in talks to join Ferrari when his gardening leave following his £80million Red Bull exit earlier this year ends in spring.
GettyChristian Horner is in talks with Ferrari over a sensational return to the F1 grid[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialThe move could cast doubt over the long-term future of Lewis Hamilton[/caption]
Horner was sacked as team principal of Red Bull following a poor result at the British Grand Prix in July before he was paid off to leave the Milton Keynes outfit last month.
The 51-year-old won 14 titles, six Constructors’ Championships and eight World Drivers’ Championships, during his 20 years with Red Bull.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Horner has been wooed by Ferrari over a potential role at the underperforming team.
The report says the Scuderia have approached him twice in the last two years and wanted to appoint him before they eventually signed current team principal Fred Vasseur.
Vasseur – who is said to have lost the faith of Ferrari president John Elkan – was one of three names shortlisted for the position in 2023 alongside Horner and former McLaren boss Andreas Seidl.
The first offer to Horner was said to be an improvement on his £8m-12m-a-year salary at Red Bull, while Ferrari went back in for a second time earlier this year due to their continued poor performances.
One of the key figures in Horner’s life, wife Geri Horner, is also said to be on board about a possible move to Italy.
The former Spice Girl stood in solidarity with Horner when the paddock was rocked by a sexting scandal of his alleged coercive behaviour to a female employee, which Horner always denied and was later cleared of following two investigations.
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Horner would have happily stayed at Red Bull forever, but the behind-the-scenes power struggle proved too much when even Max Verstappen was unable to continue putting up race wins this season.
The Dutchman has previously said he had no qualms about possibly leaving Red Bull, and with his contract expiring in 2028 it begs the question over whether he might be tempted to make a switch.
If talks between Ferrari and Horner prove fruitful and he joins the Maranello team, it might raise questions over the position of seven-time world champion Hamilton.
The Briton is F1‘s most successful driver but is yet to score a podium this season following his incredible switch from Mercedes.
Hamilton certainly knows how to build a race-winning car, given his six titles at the Silver Arrows, but reports in Italy say he has been left feeling ignored by Ferrari despite submitting several recommendations for how to build the car.
Horner twice rejected the chance to work with Hamilton.
GettyHorner’s wife and former Spice Girl Geri Haliwell is said to be open to a move to Italy[/caption]
GettyHorner could make a move for Red Bull diamond Max Verstappen[/caption]
The first rejection came following a question from Hamilton’s father, Antony, when he was trying to grab his son an F1 seat and with Lewis frustrated at his “slow” progression.
Horner, then boss of Arden in the lower formulas, told Hamilton he would be better off under the guidance of Ron Dennis.
He then rejected Hamilton’s services again following an approach at the Canadian Grand Prix when he was frustrated at McLaren in 2011.
With Hamilton now 40, Horner will be well aware that the best days of the Stevenage-born driver might be behind him.
Action Images – ReutersHorner has twice rejected the chance to sign Hamilton[/caption]
Hamilton’s Ferrari contract runs until the end of next season, but Horner could look to freshen up his driver lineup with the likes of Verstappen coming in, according to the Mail.
But if not, putting together a team principal and driver who would have more titles combined than the greatest F1 team in history – Ferrari’s 20 being the most in F1 – can only be a good thing.
Ferrari haven’t had a drivers champion since 2007 in Kimi Raikkonen, while their last constructors’ title came in 2008.
Indeed, you would also need to go back to 2018 for the last time Ferrari won more than five races in a season.
The Scuderia, much like Manchester United in football, have proven to be a poison chalice for many who dare to dream of turning them around.
But maybe the gusto of an F1 titan such as Horner will finally be able to break the trend as a new set of regulations come into play from next season.
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