Christian Horner’s Shock Ferrari move was confirmed after the dismissal of the Red Bull after 2025 British Grand Prix

In a seismic change that has shaken the world of Formula 1, Christian Horner, the principal of the most long -lived team in the modern era of sport, officially joined the team Ferrari as the team principal, a few days after its abrupt looting from Red Bull’s races after the great Bretanza of 2025 For Horner who for the iconic Italian team. With the performance of Red Bull that falters and the internal power struggles on display, Horner’s move in Maranello reports a bold attempt by Ferrari to recover their place at the height of F1, while Red Bull faces an uncertain future without his talismanic leader.

Horner’s departure from Red Bull, announced on July 9, 2025, stunned the F1 paddock. After 20 years, during which he brought Red Bull to six manufacturers’ championships, eight pilots titles and 124 Grand Prix victories, Horner was “freed from operational tasks” with immediate effect, replaced by Racing Bulls Laurent Mekies. The decision, led by the Red Bull GmbH and the CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, followed a sad 2025 season in which Red Bull launched the fourth in the manufacturers’ ranking, 288 points behind McLaren. Internal tensions, including a power struggle with the Motorsport consultant Helmut Marko and the departure of key figures such as Adrian Newey, aggravated by accusations of inappropriate behavior in 2024 (from which Horner was canceled), he eroded the support of the majority shareholder Charming Yoovidhya. Max Verstappen’s frustration for the team non -competitive RB21 car and the items of a potential exit to Mercedes have further under pressure Red Bull to act decisively.

Ferrari’s move to protect Horner was quick and strategic. Voices on the interest of the president of Ferrari John Elkann for Horner emerged in May 2025, with the Italian media who reported “informal” interviews to replace Fred Vasseur, whose contract ends this year among the criticisms for the campaign without victory of Ferrari’s 2025 despite a strong second place in the builders’ shares. Horner, known for his politician and the ability to build winning teams of the championship, fired these connections in June, reaffirming his commitment for Red Bull. However, his dismissal changed the landscape and Ferrari exploited the opportunity to recruit a new leader. The X posts hypothesized that Horner’s exit was timed to allow six -month garden leave, positioning it to start Ferrari in January 2026, aligning with the main changes in sport regulation.

Horner’s appointment is a coup d’état for Ferrari, who fought to convert the raw rhythm into victories, dragging the McLaren of 238 points. His track record – transforming Red Bull from the Jaguar team into difficulty in a power – offer the people hope to a team burdened by his status as “National Team” status of Italy. In an interview from 2023, Horner criticized the heavy management and pressure of the Ferrari’s media, suggesting the need for decisive leadership. “We move quickly, make decisions and stick to them,” he said, mentioning the simplified approach that could lead to Maranello. Ferrari’s declaration greeted Horner as “a visionary leader whose experience will lead our search for championships”. His familiarity with high -level environments and the ability to attract talents, as seen with the recruitment of Newey in 2005, could face Ferrari’s “talents’ problem, with some X posts that suggest that it could establish a remote base based in the United Kingdom to support the operations.

For Red Bull, Horner’s exit and Ferrari move an ongoing crisis. Verstappen, which marked 165 of the 172 points of Red Bull in 2025, faces an uncertain future, with Mercedes that actively pursues it. The driver of the team changes: the cuisine of Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda after two races – sink the strategic incorrect steps, and the loss of Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and now Horner leaves the vulnerable Red Bull while preparing to make up his powerful unity that he can question his power of power.

Horner’s move to Ferrari, confirmed shortly before the Belgian Grand Prix (25-27 July 2025), prepared the stage for a dramatic second half of the season. His emotional farewell to the Red Bull staff, he met a standing ovation, underlined his inheritance, but his attention now turns to Maranello. As F1 walls for the regulatory review of 2026, Horner’s leadership could redefine the fortunes of Ferrari, or deepen the pressure on a desperate team for glory. The paddock is in turmoil and the world awaits the next chapter in this F1 saga.