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Hamilton Warns Horner Against Ferrari Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 9:14 AM ET

Lewis Hamilton has never shied away from speaking his mind and the Ferrari driver did just that during the latest F1 press conference when asked about speculation linking former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with a potential move to Ferrari.

“I don’t think it’s food for Christian to come to Ferrari,” Hamilton said when asked about the ongoing rumors.

The seven-time world champion quickly followed up by shutting down further discussion, adding, “I’m not going to talk more about rumors.”

His concise yet pointed comment was enough to grab attention of fans and insiders alike.

Horner’s Sudden Red Bull Exit and F1 Future

Christian Horner officially left Red Bull in September after being sacked from his dual roles as team principal and chief executive in July, ending a remarkable tenure with the team he helped build into a F1 powerhouse.

No official reason was given for his dismissal, but it came a year after reports of internal investigation following allegations of sexual harassment, internal conflict and a dip in performance all of which had put immense strain on Horner’s standing inside the organisation.

The 51-year-old reportedly accepted a reduced payout of around $91.5 Million to ensure he would be allowed to return to the sport as early as next spring.

Since his exit, Horner has been linked with several teams, though most have publicly downplayed the possibility of a partnership. Sources close to him suggest that he is prioritizing a return to F1 not as an employee, but as a stakeholder, someone with full control over team operations, rather than the employed status he held at Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari speaks in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 16, 2025 in Austin, Texas.Clive Rose/Getty Images

Hamilton’s Perspective Carries Weight at Ferrari

Hamilton’s warning comes at a time when Ferrari is under the microscope, managing both competitive pressure and the spotlight surrounding the British driver’s own move to Maranello.

Having experienced firsthand how Ferrari operates internally, Hamilton’s comments likely stem from an understanding of the complex cultural and organizational structure within the Scuderia, one that has often proven difficult for outsiders to navigate.

For Horner, who built Red Bull into a stable and dominant machine under his own leadership, joining a team with a different power dynamic could represent a sharp contrast to the autonomy he once enjoyed.

Hamilton’s remark, though brief, seems to acknowledge exactly that, suggesting that Horner’s best path forward may not lie in Ferrari red, but in carving out a new chapter on his own terms.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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