Toto Wolff has expressed significant doubt regarding Christian Horner’s potential return to Formula One, suggesting his rival could face lasting “repercussions” for having “broken a lot of glass” during his time in the sport.
Horner, 52, is seeking a path back to the paddock following his dismissal as Red Bull team principal last July, shortly after the British Grand Prix. He has previously stated he has “unfinished business” in a sport where he oversaw eight world drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles.
However, recent avenues for Horner appear to be closing. Aston Martin has ruled out a move for him, with Jonathan Wheatley now understood to be lined up for the beleaguered British team.
Concurrently, Wolff and Mercedes are actively exploring the acquisition of private investment firm Otro Capital’s 24 per cent stake in Alpine, a team that confirmed in January that Horner was among a group of investors interested in the same shares.
In an interview with the Press Association, Wolff commented on Horner’s past actions: “He (Horner) has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things… but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best.”
Wolff also dismissed any notion that Mercedes’ interest in the Alpine stake was linked to Horner: “Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian. And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not.”
He added: “We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven’t come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense.”
The intense rivalry between Wolff and Horner defined much of F1’s landscape over the past decade, as Mercedes and Red Bull battled for supremacy.
Horner’s final 18 months at the helm were marked by accusations of controlling behaviour from a female colleague, claims from which he was twice exonerated.
Wolff, 54, offered a nuanced perspective on Horner’s potential comeback. “I am in two minds about it (Horner returning to F1). The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport,” he said.
Referencing a conversation with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, Wolff quipped, “I said to (Ferrari team principal) Fred Vasseur that it needs ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.”
Despite their fierce competition, Wolff acknowledged a complex personal dynamic. “Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don’t think so,” he stated.
Yet, he added, “but even when I had the biggest frustration, and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend so there must be some goodness.”
Reflecting on their past, Wolff mused, “If there wasn’t that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have had hung with him over dinner and a had a laugh. Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them.”
Ultimately, Wolff expressed a sense of detachment regarding Horner’s future.
“I don’t know if he is finding his way back, and in which function. I certainly don’t wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit. There are not many team principals who have done what he has done,” he concluded.
“I see a situation that whatever happens, whatever outcomes there may be, whether he comes back to Formula One or not, I am at ease with it.”
