After the Japanese grand prix at the weekend, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said a return to the sport for former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would be tough.
Even after Kimi Antonelli’s Japanese Grand Prix victory for the Silver Arrows, Wolff took to the press to comment on his former rival.
Horner’s history
After 20 years in his role as Red Bull team principal, which included eight Drivers’ titles and six Constructors’ championships, Christian Horner was sacked in July 2025.
Reasons for his firing involved a decline in the form of the team and internal disputes.
He had also been twice cleared of accusations of sexual harassment and controlling behaviour by a female employee.
One was after an internal investigation overseen by a lawyer, and the other by a different lawyer who dismissed the complainant’s appeal.
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Wolff’s comments
Toto Wolff told BBC Sport that Horner “has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm.”
“I am in two minds about it. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial, and that is good for the sport.
“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.”
The pair have seen their fair share of title fights against one another, with 2021 coming to mind as the most prominent of recent years.
Wolf added: “Over the years, it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them.
“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 other team principals who have done what he has done.”
Potential future
There hasn’t been a lot of activity regarding the future of Christian Horner as of yet.
The only sign of change came in January, when F1 team Alpine said the 52-year-old was among a number of parties interested in investing in the team.
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SportJustSport writers