Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has publicly criticized former Red Bull leader Christian Horner, stating that Horner is proving to be a persistent distraction by openly signaling his desire for employment at the Italian racing outfit. Horner, who was dismissed from his role at Red Bull in July 2025, recently told The Times that Ferrari represents the ultimate destination in Formula 1, describing the team as a “sleeping giant” and “the dream” he would be interested in pursuing without the need for equity.
Vasseur expressed his frustration following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished in fourth and sixth places, respectively. The Ferrari boss emphasized that such speculation is damaging the team’s internal focus. “We are not working in the perfect serenity,” Vasseur stated, noting that a significant portion of media questions now center on Horner’s job hunt rather than the team’s performance. He added that the situation is a distraction for staff, including those working in the garage, as the team continues to battle for third place in the championship. For me, first, but for everybody in the team, for the media, for 50% of the questions [to be] about this, it’s a bit of a frustrating situation. And at the end of the day, we are all speaking a lot about this, and even for the guys in the garage, to discuss about this, it’s the best discussion that we can have, we are fighting for P3 [third place] in the championship. He replied: “This you have to ask my assistant, and asked whether he would consider working with Horner.
Context of Vasseur’s Remarks
- Seriousness: Vasseur confirmed he was not joking when he described Horner as a distraction.
- Collaboration: When asked if he would work with Horner, Vasseur directed the question to his assistant.
- Background: The comment appears to reference the sensitive circumstances of Horner’s exit from Red Bull.
The tension surrounding Horner follows a tumultuous period at Red Bull. In February 2024, Horner faced public allegations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior from a female employee, which he consistently denied. Although internal investigations initially cleared him, the controversy persisted for 18 months, leading to a decline in team performance and the departure of key personnel, such as Adrian Newey. Red Bull eventually terminated Horner’s contract after the 2025 British Grand Prix. While no official reason was provided for the firing, reports suggest a settlement agreement valued at approximately 60 million euros (51.5 million pounds). During which a number of senior team figures left – including chief technical officer Adrian Newey – and there was a slump in form, that decision followed a tumultuous 18 months in the wake of the employee’s allegations. According to the two parties agreed on a settlement, By sources to be worth 60m euros (£51.5m).
Ferrari, meanwhile, faces its own challenges. The team entered the season with hopes of contending for the world championship, but despite producing a car with excellent cornering capability, they have struggled with engine performance. This weakness was particularly evident on the long straights in Baku. Vasseur admitted that the team is losing significant ground per lap due to engine limitations, which hindered their race pace despite a strong qualifying showing. “We knew even starting from the first row that the opening laps… would be difficult,” he acknowledged.
Regarding his own future and commitment to Ferrari—a team that has not won a title since 2008—Vasseur remained resolute. Describing his role as the best job in the world, he reiterated that motorsport is his life and his business. He pledged to maintain focus for the remaining seven races of the season, aiming to push the team until the final corner of the year. Following the race, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton also signaled his continued support for the team’s current path under Vasseur’s leadership. To rise them to be motivated, focus on what is better today, just try to do my best to push the team.
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