Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that his departure from Formula 1 has made things easier for Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff. Speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of the publication of his book Drive, Horner portrayed their years of competition as an important sporting rivalry rather than a personal feud.
The two team bosses frequently exchanged remarks during a period that included Max Verstappen ending Mercedes’ seven-year run of drivers’ titles in 2021 and Red Bull winning the constructors’ championship the following year.
Reflecting on the rivalry
Horner said that competition between the teams had helped shape the sport’s recent seasons. With Horner no longer leading Red Bull, he suggested Wolff has faced less direct opposition, while also acknowledging Mercedes’ strong performance this year.
Horner was dismissed by Red Bull in July 2025. He has since spoken publicly about the possibility of eventually returning to a senior role elsewhere in Formula 1.
No rush to return
Horner has been linked with Ferrari, Aston Martin and Alpine, although he told Sky Sports News he is not actively pursuing a specific appointment. He also expressed sympathy for Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur, whose position became the subject of speculation after earlier comments from Horner.
Any return, Horner indicated, would depend on the right opportunity. For now, he said he is spending time with family after years of constant travel, including a sequence of 404 consecutive races.