Everything Lewis Hamilton Said About Christian Horner's Sacking Amid Ferrari Rumours

Lewis Hamilton made his feelings clear on Christian Horner's sacking from Red Bull amid reports that Ferrari want him to become their next team principal.

Horner was dismissed by Red Bull in July, leaving his dual roles as CEO and team principal.

The 51-year-old had been at the helm of Red Bull for all of their 405 Grands Prix as a Formula 1 team, dating back to 2005, up until his departure.

He was placed on gardening leave by the team, but subsequently negotiated and finalised a £52 million pay-off that means he can return to F1 from 2026.

Veteran German F1 journalist Ralf Bach claimed on Thursday that Ferrari chairman John Elkann is 'focused' on bringing Horner to the team amid pressure on current team principal Frederic Vasseur's position.

Should Horner move to Ferrari, he would be managing Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The dynamic between Hamilton and Horner would be one of the headline stories going into the new season - given their chequered past.

Horner publicly criticised the seven-time world champion after his collision with Max Verstappen at the 2021 British Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver suffering a 51G impact with the wall and requiring hospital treatment.

Hamilton would respond: "I don't really have anything to say to Christian. The win doesn't feel hollow. I don't think I am in a position to have to apologise for anything."

While watching a Hamilton interview from 2020, Horner was captured by Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' series as privately saying: "I wish he'd shut the f**k up."

Horner did describe Hamilton's move to Ferrari as 'box office' back in February, stating: "I think it suits him. I think it's great for Formula 1 ... it's just another dynamic for this year that could be super exciting."

Given their history, it was no surprise that Hamilton was asked by reporters on several occasions about Horner's sacking when it was announced.

And he gave two notably different answers.

Speaking at a press conference before the Belgian Grand Prix, he said: "When I'm away from race weekends, I don't pay attention to what is happening in F1 other than what's happening in my own team, so I was neither surprised or not surprised. I was just minding my own business."

But when asked a separate question, Hamilton was more reflective on the Red Bull team principal's tenure, and recalled his first meeting with Horner from during his time as team principal of Arden Motorsport in junior categories.

"It's been incredible to see the progress," he began.

"I remember sitting with Christian, sitting in his office in GP2 [now F2]. I was in Formula 3, but looking to go into GP2 for his year. I wouldn't say we hit it off from the get-go!

"But to see his progression and career, it's been clearly remarkable what he did with the team.

"With a huge group of amazing people, to really run an organisation that big and that well takes talent and skill, and that's what he brought to the team. So I wish him all the best."