The world of Formula 1 was shaken by a seismic announcement on July 10, 2025, when Ferrari confirmed the hiring of Christian Horner as his new team leader, a few days after his abrupt departure from Red Bull Racing.

The change, which took the Paddock by surprise, generated intense speculation and debate, with an unexpected demand from the Ferrari Lewis Hamilton star pilot, adding even more intrigue to an already dramatic story. This event not only reforms Ferrari’s future, but also has an impact on all sport, asking questions about the dynamics of the teams, the aspirations to the championship and the balance of power in F1.

The departure of Christian Horner of Red Bull, announced on July 9, 2025, ended a 20 -year term that saw the team secure the six -builder championship and eight driver titles under their leadership.

ITS DEPARTURE OCCURRED AFTER A TUMULTUOUS PERIOD MARKED BY INTERNAL TENSIONS, A HIGH PROFILE SCANDAL IN 2024 INPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR The Pilot Star Max Verstappen Being Rumors of Being A Change to Mercedes, Mercedes, Red Bull Has Made The Shocking Decision to Get Rid Of Horner, replacing it with former Ferrari Executive, Laurent Mekies. The announcement caused a shock in sport, but no one could have predicted the next change: Ferrari approached to guarantee Horner’s services.

Ferrari’s interest in Horner is not entirely new. The reports already in May 2025 suggested that Ferrari’s president, John Elkann, had addressed Horner about replacing Fred Vassur, whose leadership has faced scrutiny amid Ferrari’s inconsistent performance this season. Despite the great hopes for the 2025 season with the hiring of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari has fought to accompany McLaren, who leads the Construction Championship. Horner, with his proven history of construction championship equipment, was seen as a potential basin for Scuderia. However, Horner and Ferrari ruled out previous speculations, which makes this announcement even more surprising.

What added an additional drama layer to this saga was the alleged participation of Lewis Hamilton in the pressure for the appointment of Horner. Sources close to Ferrari revealed that Hamilton, who joined the team in 2025 to pursue an elusive eighth world championship, made an unexpected demand during internal discussions. The Hepacal World Champion would have insisted that Ferrari brought a team leader with a proven winning mentality to maximize the potential of the team in the highly competitive era of the regulations of 2026. Hamilton’s story with Horner is complex, marked by a fierce rivalry during the fight for the title of 2021 between Red Bull and Mercedes, which culminated in the controversial victory of the controversial victory of the controversial victory of the controversial victory Max Verstappen championship in Abu Dhabi. However, Hamilton’s apparent support suggests a pragmatic approach, prioritizing success instead of past tensions.

The arrival of Horner to Ferrari is a bold movement for Maranello’s team, which has not won a builder championship since 2008. His leadership style, characterized by strategic acuity and talent to develop talent, can give Ferrari the spark necessary to return to the top. During his time in Red Bull, Horner led the rise of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, winning 124 victories in the main awards and 107 positions in Pole. His ability to deal with high pressure environments and navigate the dynamics of the complex equipment will be crucial for Ferrari to capitalize on his pilot duo, composed of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, both successful.

However, change is not risk -free. Horner’s personality, amplified by his appearances in the series “Driving to survive “Netflix and its controversy history can create friction in the traditionally island culture of Ferrari. In addition, his relationship with Hamilton, although apparently backed by the pilot’s demand, will be observed closely. The 2021 season has seen heated discussions between Horner and the former head of the Hamilton team, Toto Wolff, and some wonders if old wounds could resurface under the intense pressure of Ferrari’s expectations.

The broader implications for F1 are equally significant. The departure of Horner of Red Bull has fed speculation about the future of Verstappen, with Mercedes allegedly in negotiations to attract the four -stroke champion. Ferrari’s bold decision to assure Horner can further destabilize the network, while the teams reassess their strategies before changes in the regulation of 2026. Meanwhile, Laurent Mekies appointment for Red Bull points out a new era for the Milton Keynes team, but there is still doubt if it can replace Horner.

For Ferrari fans, hiring Horner is a statement of intention. The decision of the team to act quickly and decisively, together with the unexpected influence of Hamilton, reinforces the determination of the team to end the drought of values. With circus F1 towards the Belgium Grand Prix, all eyes will be directed to Maranello to see if this radical change can provide the success that Ferrari wants so much. The 2025 season, already full of surprises, has become even more unpredictable.