Red Bull’s Christian Horner will be embarking on his 18th season with the team in 2023. The Briton is also the longest-serving Team Principal in the current grid, serving as Red Bull’s boss since its inception in 2005.
But Horner had received an enticing offer to lead F1’s most coveted team in 2022. Ferrari had eyed the Red Bull boss as their potential Team Principal and as a replacement for Mattia Binotto.
The Maranello-based team reportedly approached McLaren’s Andreas Seidl and Horner in late 2021. But surprisingly, both rejected advances from Ferrari. This led to Ferrari appointing Fred Vasseur as their new principal from 2023 onwards.
It’s often heard that “When Ferrari calls, you don’t say no!” So how come Horner differed to reject Ferrari’s call?
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Politics at Ferrari reason to reject says, Christian Horner
Christian Horner has been with Red Bull since its start. And in the years since, the Briton has taken the team from minnows to 5-time Constructos champions and 6-time Driver’s title winners.
Horner’s absolute devotion to his team was justified when he stated his commitment at an award show. Horner said, “My commitment is very much with Red Bull. I’ve been there since the beginning, and I have a very close attachment with the team.”
It was clear that Horner would stay at Red Bull and would not move to a title rival like Ferrari. But when asked why he chose to reject Horner simply claimed, “There is too much politics at Ferrari.”
Ferrari’s status as a cult team amongst Tifosi is an added pressure. It also is the flag bearer for Italy and Horner claims there is too much pressure and bureaucracy involved within the team.
Horner summed up by saying, “There are too many egos. If someone starts succeeding, someone else pulls him down.”
With Ferrari’s appointment of Fredric Vasseur as their new team principal, the Italian team will have their 5th Team Principal in 10 years. And the team are yet to win a title since their last constructors win in 2008.
Horner questions Mattia Binotto’s sacking
Christian Horner also does not understand Ferrari’s decision to sack Mattia Binotto. Binotto was sacked after spending 4 seasons with the team in which he oversaw Ferrari’s most troubled periods.
Horner believes after the 2nd place finishes in 2023 the team should have trusted Binotto more. “I think Mattia did a very good job in producing a very competitive car and engine for Ferrari, certainly this year,” Horner said at the FIA prize gala.
Binotto did fail at the target of delivering Ferrari’s first title in over 15 years. And Horner does accept the operational lapses Ferrari displayed like executing faulty strategies.
He adds, “He committed a long period of his career and life to Ferrari. I’m sure it must be very difficult for him to leave that team after all of that time.”
Binotto leaves after spending over 25 years with Ferrari, a team he joined as an intern. This too proves the ruthless environment at Ferrari, a fact that Horner claims as his reason to reject the team.
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