Christian Horner suggests Hamilton’s Ferrari switch could rejuvenate his career while taking aim at Mercedes F1 and Toto Wolff.
Christian Horner didn’t miss the chance to take a subtle jab at Mercedes F1 and Toto Wolff regarding what’s set to be the headline story of the 2025 season opener: Lewis Hamilton’s first races in red, driving for Ferrari.
The Red Bull team principal expressed his anticipation for this battle between his team and the seven-time world champion.
“For Lewis, it’s a big move. He’s been part of the Mercedes family his entire career. So, leaving that brand to join Ferrari, arguably the biggest name in Formula 1, is a great story for the sport, and it might be the revitalization Lewis has been looking for.”
“Perhaps that relationship with Mercedes had grown a little stale,” he added with a laugh.
“Lewis is the most successful driver in the sport’s history, and in a Ferrari next year, he could very well be a serious contender. We’re not underestimating anyone or any of our competitors.”
Horner also admitted to being much closer to Fred Vasseur than to Wolff.
About the Frenchman, Horner commented that he is “more of a racer” than Wolff. “He’s more pragmatic. Maybe a little less hot-headed too!”
Vasseur could face an entirely new experience next season with Hamilton on his team.
“Inevitably, the pressure will increase with the expectations. Having Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in his cars next year will be a completely different experience for Fred.”
What can be expected from this new partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari? Horner believes the Briton’s integration will be crucial.
“It’s about communication, being honest with the drivers. Today, Max Verstappen is the most valuable asset in Formula 1. He’s our lead driver. He comes first. If you can get close to him, that’s fantastic. But the reality is, the expectation is for Max to win. A team like Ferrari, for instance, next year, will have two drivers taking points off each other. So, which horse do you back? You have to support both, but that can sometimes cause division within a team. Different teams have different approaches to managing that.”
“As I’ve said, Lewis could experience a resurgence. He’s an emotional person, and I think it will really depend on how things go for him at Ferrari. It’s a huge brand with a massive fanbase. If the tifosi get behind him and he gets off to a strong start, then those qualities are still there. He remains a class competitor, and even as he ages, it depends on whether that hunger and motivation are reignited by a new challenge and environment at Ferrari.”
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Horner’s Jab: Ferrari Could Reignite Hamilton’s Flame Horner’s Jab: Ferrari Could Reignite Hamilton’s Flame
