Brundle dismisses Horner-to-Ferrari rumours after speaking directly with the Briton

Martin Brundle has dismissed paddock rumours connecting Christian Horner to a senior role at Ferrari, saying the former Red Bull team principal told him directly that his widely reported comments about the Scuderia had been taken out of context.

Speculation about Horner’s future intensified after he told The Times that Ferrari would be the only team he would consider joining without holding an ownership stake. But Brundle, who contacted Horner personally, offered a more straightforward explanation during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.

“There was a lot of talk of Christian Horner this week, so I rang him, and he said, ‘I was being polite and respectful about Ferrari in an interview and it took on a whole load…’” Brundle recounted.

Brundle acknowledged that a Horner appointment at Ferrari would have generated enormous intrigue, not least because it would have placed him alongside Lewis Hamilton — a man with whom he had one of the most contentious rivalries in the sport’s recent history. “Could you imagine Lewis and Christian working together after 2021? That would be an interesting dynamic,” Brundle said.

The veteran commentator and former driver used the moment to caution against the instinct to overhaul leadership at the first sign of difficulty, drawing a parallel with football. “There’s no point in keeping changing key personnel,” he said. “The role of a team principal has also changed quite dramatically. They just need to stay calm and support each other.”

Current Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur retains the backing of both his drivers. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have each publicly defended Vasseur in recent weeks, as has Ferrari’s own management.

Ferrari currently sits second in the constructors’ championship with 378 points, trailing championship leaders Mercedes, who have accumulated 538 points.