Christian Horner and Toto Wolff are two of the most successful team principals in F1. They have helped Red Bull and Mercedes, respectively, win multiple championships over their illustrious careers. However, little is known about their childhood and that they both started their careers as racing drivers.
It is just that one was far better than the other in Horner’s eyes. While speaking to the Financial Times (as quoted by motorsportweek.com) in a recent interview, the 49-year-old said with a laugh, “Well obviously, I raced and Toto took part“.
Horner began his racing career in 1991 after he won a Formula Renault scholarship. He raced competitively until 1998 and got as high up as F2, a time when he realized that racing was not for him.
On the other hand, Wolff began his racing career in 1992 in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship. He raced competitively until the late 2000s and then transitioned into motorsports management.
Christian Horner has no regrets about retiring from racing early
When asked in the interview with the Financial Times if he still had the inclination to compete as a racing driver, Christian Horner replied, “Absolutely not“. The Briton explained his point by stating that after a point he was not ready to take the risks required that a professional driver needs to take to compete at the highest level.
With that in mind, Horner then went on to add how he has the utmost respect for drivers such as Max Verstappen, who are willing to drive at a limit he himself could not even think of during his racing days. He explained further by adding,
“When I see the level that these guys are at now, it’s insane. [With] Max [Verstappen] even during the race on Sunday (in Miami), he’s watching the TV as he’s driving around. He’s commenting on what’s going on in the race and then he starts having an argument with his race engineer“.
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Christian Horner’s staggering success as Red Bull team principal
Alongside Toto Wolff, Christian Horner is currently one of the most successful team principals in the F1 paddock. The Briton has led Red Bull to five Constructors’ Championships (2010-13, 2022) and is currently on track to lead his side to a sixth this year.
This is because after dominating both the Drivers’ and the Constructors’ Championships last year, Red Bull has once again emerged as the dominant side this season. The Milton Keynes outfit has already scored 224 points after the first five races and has a whopping 122-point lead over second-placed Aston Martin.
