Red Bull Racing and Formula One were shaken by a turbulent 18 months that began when a female employee accused Christian Horner of sexual harassment, allegations that became public in February 2024. The fallout resulted in the Briton being dismissed from his role as the outfit’s Team Principal, a position he had held since the team’s 2005 debut, guiding it to six constructors’ world championships.
While Laurent Mekies stepped in from sister outfit Racing Bulls, speculation surrounding Horner’s next move has continued to swirl. Now, with just four races remaining in the 2025 season, former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has weighed in, dropping new insight on the 51-year-old’s rumored switch to Ferrari for 2026.
What Did Guenther Steiner Reveal About Christian Horner’s Future at Ferrari?
Just three days after the British Grand Prix, Red Bull confirmed that Horner, who had led the team since their Formula One debut two decades ago, was no longer in charge.
The Milton Keynes outfit endured a turbulent campaign in 2025, languishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship with 172 points, a staggering 245 adrift of leaders McLaren after 12 rounds. It’s a stark contrast to the previous season, when Red Bull dominated the standings at this stage, holding over 200 more points than their nearest competitors.
The decision was undoubtedly tough but ultimately necessary to protect the organization’s reputation and steady a faltering ship. Horner was subsequently ousted after reaching a severance agreement following his dismissal as team principal in July.
Since his departure, the 51-year-old has been eager to return to the Formula One paddock, reportedly reaching out to several teams. Among them was Ferrari, a team many consider to have lost its former dominance, and naturally, speculation intensified. However, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann and serving Team Principal Fred Vasseur shut down those rumors.
In an exclusive with Casino.org, Steiner offered some intriguing insight, prefacing his comments with a candid admission – “I don’t know where Christian is going. I think he wants to return to F1 because that is what he likes most in his life. My opinion on Ferrari is that it’s a very difficult company to run.”
Steiner, who was the technical operations director at RBR, later reflected on the Italian team’s current scenario, “They’re currently second in the Constructors’ Championship, but it’s very close. Second wouldn’t be a bad result this year, but it’s not good enough still for an organization like Ferrari.”
“I think Fred will get a bit more time and the entirety of 2026 with the completely new rules. If they are not competitive next year, I think something will happen there.”
Although the 60-year-old reiterated the complex dynamics within Ferrari, he predicted that both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc would remain under Vasseur for another year.
“It would be wrong now to put somebody new in right now,” he stated. The new regulations are going to be challenging for everyone, and Ferrari will have had 2026 in mind for a long time.
He added, “In Formula One, everything starts very early. That process will have started a long time ago. Let’s see what they can deliver and judge them from there because Fred inherited what he inherited. Ferrari needs stability and calmness right now; not a change in such a senior position.”
As the dust settles on Red Bull’s internal storm and Ferrari’s future takes shape, Horner’s next move remains one of F1’s most intriguing mysteries. Whether he resurfaces in Maranello red or elsewhere, one thing is sure: Horner’s story in F1 will be on the headlines for quite some time.