Christian Horner has once again sent ripples through the Formula 1 paddock. The former Red Bull boss openly declared he would give up his shareholding ambitions to lead Ferrari, and the statement has ignited a whirlwind of speculation ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. In Maranello, the pressure on Frederic Vasseur is mounting.
Italian media have been quick to dissect the fallout from Horner's interview with The Times. Giorgio Terruzzi, writing for Corriere della Sera, described the atmosphere around the Cavallino Rampante as still "restless" and said Horner's words "stunned everyone". Terruzzi interpreted the message as aimed directly at John Elkann, a long-time admirer of Horner, and as an attempt to provoke a dialogue that may not even be existent.
Leo Turrini of Quotidiano Sportivo was more blunt. He compared the situation to Jurgen Klopp being immediately offered a contract when available, and questioned why Ferrari would not move quickly for Horner. Turrini labelled Vasseur's position as "on the brink" and called the prospect of Horner in red "intriguing".
However, Fulvio Solms of Corriere dello Sport read the signals differently. He argued that Horner's comments actually reveal weakness and prove the two parties are not in contact. If there were active talks, Horner would have stayed silent and invisible. Solms also recalled that in 2025 Ferrari issued a clear message to shut down Bild's rumours, but this time there has been no official denial from Maranello.
What is clear is that Vasseur is not in the hot seat without protection. His contract with Ferrari runs until the end of 2027, and terminating it early would be costly. This serves as a temporary shield for the Frenchman, although on-track results will always be the ultimate judge.
Moreover, a move to Ferrari for Horner is far from straightforward. He is a central figure at Red Bull with a very distinct working culture. Joining a team in transition towards the new 2026 regulations demands rapid adaptation, not to mention the internal dynamics already shaped under Vasseur.
As of now, there has been no official comment from Ferrari or Vasseur. The Baku paddock is indeed heating up, but whether this heat will burn Vasseur's seat or simply cool down after the chequered flag, only time will tell. One thing is certain: in Formula 1, the adage "never say never" always holds true.
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