Horner: Wolff and Mercedes Are Finding Life 'Easier' Without Me in F1

Christian Horner believes Mercedes and Toto Wolff are finding life in Formula 1 "easier" now that he is no longer on the pit wall, as his old rivals close in on another championship double.

Horner and Wolff shared one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport over the past decade, a battle that reached its peak in the controversial 2021 season when Max Verstappen ended Mercedes' run of seven successive drivers' titles. Red Bull then became constructors' champions in 2022 as Mercedes slid into a difficult period, producing further exchanges between the two team principals before Horner was sacked in July 2025.

Mercedes are now set to reclaim both the drivers' and constructors' titles this season, with Kimi Antonelli poised to become Formula 1's youngest world champion as early as this weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

"Sport needs rivalry"

"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 is 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 insists he is in no rush for a return to the sport. In an interview with The Times published last month, he said Ferrari were the only team he would consider returning to the pit wall for without the ownership stake he has prioritised for any comeback, describing the Scuderia as "the biggest brand in Formula 1" and "the dream" — comments that fuelled reports team principal Frederic Vasseur could be replaced.

Addressing those rumours, Horner said: "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 create that much scrutiny and that much coverage at a time that obviously they were having a bit of a hard time."

Alpine and Aston Martin links played down

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 possible destination, which would see Horner reunited with legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey. In his book, Horner opens up about a change in his relationship with Newey before the designer left Red Bull in 2024 amid the team's power struggle.

Asked whether Newey could be blocking him 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."

Where the title could be decided

The focus now shifts to Austin, where every session of the United States Grand Prix is live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday evening. Should the maths fall his way, Antonelli could seal the drivers' crown in Texas, with Mercedes also on course to wrap up the constructors' championship.