"Ferrari has indeed knocked on my door": Christian Horner's major revelation as Red Bull boss reaffirms commitment to the Austrian brand

Red Bull Racing CEO Christian Horner has revealed that Ferrari has approached him in the past for the role of Team Principal. In an exclusive interview with De Telegraaf, the Briton reiterated his commitment to Red Bull, stating that he intends to continue leading the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Speculation about Horner’s future has resurfaced in the lead-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, with reports linking him to potential roles at Alpine and Ferrari. While Ferrari has shown interest in hiring Horner in the past, he has consistently chosen to stay with Red Bull.

The renewed scrutiny around his position follows a turbulent year in 2024, during which his personal life became the subject of widespread media attention.

Although flattered by the interest from rival teams, Horner remains fully committed to Red Bull. He acknowledged Ferrari’s past inquiry but emphasized that his loyalty lies with the team he helped build. Over the years, he has overseen the recruitment of key personnel and cultivated a strong internal culture, which he believes makes Red Bull a great place to work. His emotional and professional investment in the team, along with a deep sense of responsibility, reinforces his decision to stay.

Asked if other teams like Ferrari offering him a job in the past ever made him want to look elsewhere, Horner replied:

“I am flattered to be talked about with other teams. Ferrari has indeed knocked on my door in the past. But my heart is with Red Bull. I have hired a lot of staff and convinced people personally to come and work for our team. I have invested a big part of my life in this team, since the very beginning. I feel a huge loyalty towards all the staff and also feel the support of the parent company.”

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Christian Horner addresses the issue of top personnel leaving Red Bull

Christian Horner believes that the departure of several senior figures in 2024 has not impacted Red Bull Racing’s organizational structure or core team strength. Last year saw the exits of prominent personnel, including Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey (to Aston Martin), Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley (to Audi), Technical Director Rob Marshall, and Head of Strategy Will Courtenay—both of whom joined McLaren. In the wake of Horner’s controversies in 2024, there were also rumors of additional staff departures, including mechanics.

Despite the headlines, Horner maintains that fewer than four percent of the workforce has left Red Bull. He noted that he actively supported Wheatley’s move to Audi, as the former Sporting Director had long aspired to become a team principal. Horner emphasized that the vast majority of Red Bull’s staff, particularly within the factory and engineering departments, remains unchanged. He also pointed out that other teams have experienced greater turnover in similar situations, and that Red Bull’s stability speaks to the strength of its internal culture and infrastructure.

Asked about the Red Bulls employee exodus, Horner replied:

''Yes, I constantly read and hear that a lot of people are leaving with us. Let me put it in perspective: if you look at departures, we are at less than 4 percent. We are one of the most constant teams in sports in terms of personnel. Indeed, last year two familiar names left, or at least one with Adrian. But Jonathan was keen to become a team principal and I actually encouraged him to take that opportunity."

"But the reality is that the core of the team is stable. Also in terms of all those people whose names you don't know who work in the factory. In other teams, the percentage of personnel leaving is much higher. But maybe that generates less interest, because they are not driving at the front."

Christian Horner had previously attributed the departure of several Red Bull employees to their desire for new challenges, rather than internal issues. He also highlighted that Red Bull had strengthened its talent pool by hiring approximately 200 personnel from Mercedes, most of whom left the Brackley-based team after 2020 and were brought into Red Bull Powertrains, the team’s engine division.

Despite Adrian Newey’s departure in 2024, Horner and the veteran designer have maintained a strong personal relationship. They were seen together in the paddock at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Newey made his first appearance with Aston Martin, underlining the continued mutual respect between them.

In comparison, the Alpine F1 Team has experienced a far more extensive reshuffling of staff. Over the past two years, Alpine has undergone significant structural changes, resulting in a higher volume of personnel exits, reflecting broader instability within the Enstone-based outfit.