Horner: Wolff and Mercedes finding life easier without me

Christian Horner says Mercedes and Toto Wolff are finding life in Formula 1 "easier" without the former Red Bull team principal.

Horner and Wolff had a huge rivalry over the last decade which culminated in the controversial 2021 season where Max Verstappen ended Mercedes' run of seven successive drivers' titles.

Red Bull then became constructors' champions in 2022 as Mercedes began a difficult period, which led to more exchanges between Wolff and Horner before the latter was sacked in July 2025.

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Mercedes are set to reclaim both the drivers and constructors' titles this season with Kimi Antonelli becoming Formula 1's youngest world champion as early as this weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, live on Sky Sports F1.

"Sport needs rivalry. Toto and I had some great jousting over the years," Horner told Sky Sports News ahead of the release of his book 'Drive' which will be published on Thursday.

"There was never any malice behind it. It was all sporting and he's got it a bit easier at the moment, so he's probably finding life a bit easier without me there.

"They've done a great job this year. They'll probably win the championship this weekend or the weekend after, so it looks a bit easy at the moment."

Horner: I felt 'very sorry' for Vasseur after Ferrari speculation

Horner has been linked to several teams over the last 12 months including Ferrari, Aston Martin and Alpine but is in no rush for a return to the sport.

In an interview with The Times published last month, Horner said Ferrari were the only team he would consider returning to the pit-wall for without the ownership stake that he has been prioritising for any comeback to the sport

Horner also described Ferrari as "the biggest brand in Formula 1" and "the dream" which led to reports team principal Frederic Vasseur could be replaced by Horner.

Addressing the rumours, Horner said on Tuesday: "I did feel very sorry for him [Vasseur] with the speculation it created because it came out of an interview about a month prior to when it was released, and it coincided, I think, with comments that were made at the track with a couple of the drivers.

"It kind of ran away with itself. I was trying to be respectful to Ferrari and say that it's different to other teams and it has a different standing in the sport.

"Having led a competitive team and knowing the scrutiny it creates, I felt sorry for Fred that it did it did create that much that much scrutiny and that much coverage at a time that obviously they were having a bit of a hard time."

Sky Sports News understands Horner's business associations held talks with Alpine over buying a stake in the team earlier this year but the 52-year-old played down the chances of joining the Enstone-based outfit.

"You've got 11 teams currently in Formula 1. The value of those teams have all increased dramatically. If the right opportunity in a team existed, I'd certainly consider it seriously," he said.

"Right here, right now, I don't see that at Alpine. All of those teams should be striving to win, and obviously they're all very different in character and make-up.

"If the opportunity opens up, I'll certainly look at it very strongly. But if I don't, then I'm comfortable with that."

Aston Martin have been mooted as another team Horner could join, which would see him reunited with legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey.

In Horner's book, he opens up about a change in relationship with Newey before the designer left Red Bull in 2024 amid the power struggle at the team.

Asked if Newey could be blocking Horner from joining Aston Martin, Horner said: "You have to ask Adrian that. Adrian's taken on a new challenge at Aston. It's a great team, it's a great brand. They've obviously had their challenges this year.

"Honestly, I'm not chasing any specific opportunity. I'm just sitting back, looking at the sport, I'm taking some time out. I did 404 races in succession. To have this time with family, to not be on the crazy travel schedule that F1 is at the moment. I'm just biding my time and seeing how things work out."

Sky Sports F1's live United States GP schedule

Thursday October 22
6.25pm: F1 Academy Practice
8pm: Drivers' Press Conference
10.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
11.10pm: Paddock Uncut

Friday October 23
6pm: United States Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Show
9.45pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 10pm)*
11.50pm: F1 Academy Race 1*

Saturday October 24
6.15pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
8.30pm: United States Grand Prix Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
12am: F1 Academy Race 2*
12.45am: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday October 25
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted's Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 heads to The Americas for another triple-header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime