Frederic Vasseur has made it abundantly clear that Christian Horner is not welcome at Ferrari, calling the Red Bull veteran a “distraction” who is “looking for a job”. The team principal’s comments came after Horner told the Times that Ferrari is the only Formula 1 team he would join without a shareholding, describing it as “the dream”.
Vasseur laid out his frustration at Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc finished fourth and his teammate Lewis Hamilton was sixth. He said the constant attention on Horner is a problem for everyone involved, from the media to the mechanics in the garage.
“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,” Vasseur said. “We are fighting for P3 [third place] in the championship, 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.”
Vasseur’s Worry About Team Serenity
Vasseur’s complaint is straightforward: the spotlight is not where it should be. His team is chasing third in the constructors’ championship, and the conversation keeps drifting to Horner’s job hunt.
“It is what it is, it’s not in my hands,” Vasseur added. “Mr Horner is looking for a job – that everybody knows – everywhere. But what can I do? Just try to do my best to push the team, to rise them to be motivated, focus on what is better today.”
When asked whether he was joking, Vasseur responded: “I was very serious.” Then, when pressed on whether he would consider working with Horner, he pointed elsewhere entirely.
“This you have to ask my assistant,” Vasseur replied.
That answer carries its own weight. Horner’s departure from Red Bull in July 2025 came after he was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee. The allegations became public in February 2024, and Red Bull dismissed them following two internal investigations.
The decision followed a turbulent 18 months, during which several senior figures left, including chief technical officer Adrian Newey. There was also a slump in form. Red Bull have never given a public explanation for Horner’s dismissal, though sources say the settlement was worth 60 million euros.
The Timing Of Horner’s Comments
Horner’s interview with the Times came this week, and it is the trigger for Vasseur’s remarks. In the conversation, Horner made his position clear.
“Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1,” Horner said.
His timing is notable. Ferrari entered this season hoping to challenge for the title after new chassis and engine rules came into force. Their car was recognised as the best in the corners at the start of the year, but their engine has struggled against those of Mercedes and Red Bull.
That weakness showed in Baku. Leclerc qualified second but fell back during the race, slipping from his initial position.
Vasseur On The Engine Struggle
The engine issue was central to Saturday’s race. Vasseur explained the problem in blunt terms.
“With the situation that we are in the engine, we are losing one position per lap, and then we lose the path of the race,” he said. “Honestly we were surprised to be in the first row, because Baku is the most demanding in terms of engine, and was not expecting to do so. But we knew even starting from the first row that the opening laps, or in case of restarting safety car and so, it would be difficult. And it was.”
The Baku circuit’s long straights exposed Ferrari’s power deficit. A car that excels in the corners can still fall behind when the pace is measured over a straight.
Leclerc’s Race And Ferrari’s Title Hopes
Leclerc’s fourth-place finish was a solid result for a team chasing third in the championship. Ferrari have not won a world championship since 2008, and they have rarely had a fully competitive car since then. The team’s title hopes for this season rested on their new chassis and engine, but the engine短板在长直道上暴露无遗，导致勒克莱尔从第二位发车后逐渐落后。
Vasseur’s Commitment To Ferrari
Despite the distractions, Vasseur remains committed to his role. When asked whether he was still dedicated to his position, he answered with characteristic bluntness.
“Motorsport is my life, it’s my business. I’m trying to do my best. I’m there to do my job. I have the best job in the world, heh. But, it is like it is. We have still seven races to go, and I will push until the last corner.”
What This Means For Horner
Horner’s comments have put him at odds with the team he wants to join. Vasseur has made it clear that Ferrari does not want him around.
The situation is unlikely to change before the season ends. Vasseur is focused on the remaining races, and Horner’s pursuit of a job remains a topic for everyone else.
| Event | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku | Leclerc fourth, Hamilton sixth |
| Horner interview with the Times | — | Ferrari described as “the dream” |
| Horner dismissed as Red Bull team principal | July 2025 | Settled for 60 million euros |
The irony is that Horner’s desire to work for Ferrari is now the story, while Ferrari’s actual performance on track has taken a back seat. Vasseur’s frustration is genuine, and his refusal to engage with the question directly avoids the trap.
This is a classic case of the candidate becoming the story. Horner wanted to signal his interest in Ferrari, and he did so publicly. Now Ferrari are signalling back, and their message is clear: we are not interested.
The season continues, and the engine issue will remain a talking point. But for now, the most interesting thing about Ferrari is not what they are doing on track, but what they are saying about Horner.
Vasseur has made his position clear. Horner has made his own. The two men are on opposite sides of the same conversation.
Source material: “Horner a distraction for Ferrari says Vasseur,” the BBC.
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