Ecclestone: the key link in shock lifeline that might save Horner's F1 career

21:02, 10 Jul

byNorberto Mujica

Having been relieved of his CEO and team principal duties on Tuesday evening by Red Bull management, Christian Horner's options to lead an F1 team again remain thin.

Although Ferrari has been suggested as a potential destination for Horner, it remains a long shot, at least for Sky Sports journalist Ted Kravitz, given the upheaval it would represent for the axed F1 boss, and due to Lewis Hamilton's presence in the Scuderia. Furthermore, Frederic Vasseur is currently in talks surrounding his future at the Maranello-based team.

Former F1 drivers turned analysts Martin Brundle, and Karun Chandhok, though, do believe that Alpine may be a more realistic option for Horner.

During an impromptu F1 Show Podcast by Sky Sports, Brundle agreed with Kravitz in seeing Alpine as a more realistic possibility than Ferrari would be for Horner.

"I think that Christian will be desperate to get a stake in the team going forward and have some ownership rather than to be a hired hand, really, and you obviously won't be able to do that at Ferrari, as entertaining as that job might be," said Brundle.

Alpine makes more sense for Horner, than Ferrari

After acknowledging the rumours linking Horner to Ferrari, Chandhok also highlights their longevity, with noises between indicating both parties joining forces being around for 'a decade.'

A relocation with Adrian Newey in the mix as well, might have been a more attractive overall package for the Scuderia, the Indian believes.

"I do think a combination of Christian and Newey to Ferrari was a much more attractive package for Ferrari," he added before agreing with Brundle.

"To me, I could see him landing at Alpine more than I can see him landing at Ferrari now. I think Ferrari are going to try and build their own thing."

Chandhok, after agreeing with colleague Kravitz' input regarding the major personal life choices that Horner would inevitably have to make should a potential move to Ferrari be in the cards, doubled down on Horner betting on Alpine.

Ecclestone could be the F1 lifeline for Horner

"The commute to Enstone is pretty much going to be the same as the commute to Milton Keynes," said the Indian whilst laughing.

"So, yeah. I can see that being a more likely destination. And of course, he and Flavio, both very old friends of Bernie Ecclestone."

"Bernie brought Christian to F1 when Red Bull bought the team. He was instrumental in Christian getting that job, back in 2005."

"Flavio doesn't want to be team principal. He doesn't want to run the team day-to-day. He's got Steve Nielsen there as the MD (Managing Director, ed.)."

"But I can imagine there's a few wheels and cogs being turned in the backgrounds, for Christian to at least have a role there," Chandhok concluded.