Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner has dropped a major revelation regarding his past, admitting that he was once approached to take over the helm at Mercedes in Formula 1. The sensational disclosure comes to light through his new book, Drive, detailing a pivotal moment that could have completely altered the modern history of the sport over a decade ago.
According to his account, the British team boss was caught completely off guard when the late Niki Lauda made a surprise visit to his home. The legendary Austrian figure arrived with a clear objective to lure him away from his long-term post and convince him to spearhead the Brackley-based outfit's operations.
This high-profile approach followed discussions involving Lewis Hamilton, who at the time was actively exploring his options away from McLaren. During their secret meeting, Lauda laid out a series of dazzling numbers outlining a massive salary package, famously claiming that his current employers would never match the financial offer on the table.
Despite the tempting financial prospect and the lucrative pay rise, Horner ultimately turned down the proposal. He confessed to the three-time world champion that his decision was rooted in a deep sense of loyalty toward Dietrich Mateschitz and the wider team he had helped build from the ground up.
That pivotal refusal shaped the trajectory of both racing outfits for years to come, as he remained at Milton Keynes to oversee multiple championship triumphs while Mercedes eventually secured Toto Wolff to lead their dynastic era of dominance in the hybrid turbo regulations.
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