Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Christian Horner is a complex one amid chatter the former Red Bull team principal could be his next boss at Ferrari. Horner is plotting his return to the F1 paddock after reaching a settlement with Red Bull, which allows him to make his comeback next year.
The 51-year-old, who was ousted by Red Bull in July, has been linked with various teams, including Aston Martin, Alpine and Haas. Rumours linking Horner with Ferrari refuse to go away. Horner has held talks with the Italian team in the past and according to the Daily Mail, Ferrari chairman John Elkann remains interested in bringing him to the team to replace current boss Frederic Vasseur, who is under pressure following the the Prancing Horse’s poor 2025. Hamilton and Horner in the same team would be a fascinating dynamic, given their frosty relationship.
The pair first crossed paths 20 years ago when Hamilton was advancing up the single-seater ranks while Horner was in charge of Arden, which ran teams in feeder classes such as GP2 and GP3 (now Formula 2 and Formula 3). That meeting wasn’t a roaring success and the pair went their separate ways.
Hamilton raced for his current boss, Vasseur, in GP2 in 2006 before entering F1 with McLaren the following year. In the meantime, Horner got the top job at Red Bull, winning constructors’ and drivers’ titles with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
When asked about Horner’s Red Bull departure and his achievements in the sport earlier this year, Hamilton was glowing in his praise while recalling an awkward meeting between the pair. He said: “It’s been incredible to see the progress [at Red Bull].
“I sat with Christian back in 2005, sat in his office looking to go into GP2, he was at Arden or something. I wouldn’t say we hit it off from the get-go!
“To see his progression, it was remarkable what he did with the team. To run an organisation that big and that well takes heart and skill, that’s what he brought to the team. I wish him all the best.”
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That nod of respect is a far cry from the animosity that existed between Hamilton’s Mercedes and Horner’s Red Bull as Hamilton and Verstappen fought for the 2021 drivers’ title. It was both a thrilling and toxic rivalry that led to clashes on and off the track.
During that year’s British Grand Prix, Hamilton and Verstappen collided at high speed, with the Dutchman being sent spearing into the barriers. Hamilton was deemed at fault and was hit with a 10-second penalty, but still went on to win the race.
Horner didn’t believe the penalty went far enough and was openly critical of Hamilton, accusing the seven-time world champion of “dirty driving.” He said: “He failed to make the move in the first part of the lap, which he was obviously geared to do, and then it was just a desperate move sticking a wheel up the inside, which you just don’t do.
“Copse is one of the fastest corners in the world. You don’t stick a wheel up the inside. That’s just dirty driving.”
Hamilton insisted it was a racing incident as he fired back at Horner, saying: “I don’t really have anything to say to Christian. The win doesn’t feel hollow. I don’t think I am in a position to have to apologise for anything.”
Given his long-term relationship with Vasseur, Hamilton would be reluctant to see a change at the top. However, following a tough first season at Ferrari, the 40-year-old is experienced enough to know that the Frenchman is on shaky ground, despite recently signing a new contract.