Mercedes team boss Wolff looks for new rival after Horner's dismissal from Red Bull

With Christian Horner’s dismissal as Red Bull Racing team boss, Toto Wolff has effectively lost his greatest rival. The Mercedes CEO and team principal now finds himself searching for a new figure to target. But who could fill that role?

Wolff has often described Horner as a 'real jerk' and accused the Briton of 'sowing discord'. However, beneath the rivalry, the Austrian has admitted on several occasions that he actually misses Horner’s presence in the paddock. According to Wolff, Horner was one of the protagonists in the sport, perhaps even as influential to the sport as a star driver.

Horner and Wolff in the spotlight

In the 2021 season, Horner was often in the spotlight, as was Wolff, by the way, during the months when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fought an epic battle for the world title. Eventually, the Dutchman won his first championship in Formula 1.

Toto Wolff was in a battle with Christian Horner

But it was more than a fight between Hamilton and Verstappen, or Mercedes against Red Bull. It was also Wolff versus Horner. "Yes," Wolff said to Formule.hu when asked if it meant something to him that his battle with Horner is remembered by many as the greatest rivalry of the modern era.

He then confirmed that it was an incredible fight, with several main characters. "Those years, and especially 2021, were not just about Max and Lewis, but also about Christian and me. And sometimes it was really tough, it's recorded in every history book and it will always remain that way."

"You know, he always said I loved to hate him. So who do I hate now? It looks like I need to find someone else…"

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