Christian Horner has emphatically denied suggestions he might be the next Bernie Ecclestone. Already very close to the sport's 81-year-old 'supremo' Ecclestone - who is at the middle of a potentially-damaging corruption affair - the name 'Horner' is often mentioned in the paddock as perhaps Ecclestone's preferred successor.
Briton Horner, 38, a former F3000 driver, was central to the transformation of the hapless Jaguar team into the juggernaut of energy drink Red Bull's formula one domination. He has already been linked with the top job at Ferrari, and now British newspapers are musing that Horner is in line for the very top job of all.
Writing in the Times, journalist Kevin Eason said even the FIA believes Horner is the frontrunner to replace Ecclestone. A source at the Jean Todt-led federation said: "What more can Christian achieve as a team principal? He is too bright not to get bored with doing the same thing every year. I think he will fancy it."
Horner moved swiftly to quash the speculation. "I cannot imagine it," he said. "I wouldn't be equipped to deal with that role. I am totally happy with what I am doing," Red Bull's team principal insisted. "I don't think there is any one individual who could do what Bernie does. At the rate Bernie is going, it will be a long time anyway."
Eason said Mercedes' chief executive Nick Fry could be another contender. An unnamed paddock insider told the Guardian: "Eventually, I don't think there is anyone who can replace Bernie. He will ultimately be replaced by an executive board. But I think Christian can play a part on that board. Looking at the other team bosses, he is the only one." The insider, however, said Horner is not popular among his fellow bosses because "he seems to say 'no' to everything".
David Coulthard backs his former boss. "He (Horner) has proved himself as a team principal and he's capable of going on to do something beyond that. But I'm not sure anyone could replace Bernie Ecclestone," said the ex Red Bull and McLaren driver. (GMM)
Horner denies claims he could replace Ecclestone
- Published on 05 Jul 2012 16:57
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
What Zak Brown really said about signing Max VerstappenZak Brown has addressed speculation linking Max Verstappen to McLaren for the first time, stating that while he has n...
29 Jun 2026 12:14 -
What the international press said about Verstappen's Austria performanceMax Verstappen finished second at the Austrian Grand Prix after recovering from a qualifying crash, finishing just 1....
29 Jun 2026 11:13 -
Why Verstappen isn't frustrated by Red Bull's strategy callMax Verstappen has refused to criticise Red Bull after a strategic miscalculation cost him victory to George Russell....
29 Jun 2026 10:11 -
Ferrari pressures FIA over Mercedes diffuser ahead of AustriaFerrari has formally asked the FIA to clarify the legality of Mercedes' latest rear diffuser design, prompting th...
26 Jun 2026 16:22 -
Why McLaren and Red Bull are challenging Gasly's Monaco penalty reversalOscar Piastri has defended McLaren's decision to appeal the reversal of Pierre Gasly's Monaco Grand Prix pena...
26 Jun 2026 15:20
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
Team profile
- Team name Mercedes
- Base Brackley, Germany
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Nico Rosberg 4
- Nico Rosberg 6
- Michael Schumacher 7
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 8
- Nico Rosberg 9
- Lewis Hamilton 10
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli 12
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- George Russell 63
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- 636,481 comments on Mercedes
59 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (0)
Login to reply