Report: Horner states that Audi is 'not an option'

      "Horner has recently rejected two proposals from Ferrari."

      A short rumor about a new opportunity for the recently dismissed Christian Horner has been dismissed. While the Formula 1 community is still reeling from Red Bull's mid-season decision, Germany's Bild newspaper provides insight into how the 51-year-old discovered his fate. "Horner’s Red Bull career concluded in a luxurious hotel in London," the report states, with shareholders Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya conveying the news alongside Dr. Helmut Marko and Oliver Mintzlaff. Mintzlaff, the new CEO of Red Bull, was the "strategist" behind the operation and "deliberated on the decision for weeks."

      This situation, however, had its roots long before, dating back to the passing of Mateschitz’s father and Red Bull co-founder Dietrich in October 2022. Bild noted that "Horner started to assume more of Mateschitz’s duties." His situation seemed to have been decided by July 2, when both Yoovidhya and Max Verstappen missed his annual clay pigeon shooting event. Bild claims Verstappen opted out due to a stomach ailment.

      Discussions are currently underway regarding the terms of Horner’s severance package, but it's understood that he is permitted to join a rival team. "There’s an open secret," Ferrari insider Leo Turrini revealed in Quotidiano Nazionale. "Horner has lately declined two offers from Ferrari. Will a third come?" Corriere della Sera suggests that Ferrari is "no longer interested" in Horner, making a potential collaboration with Flavio Briatore at Alpine, which might involve team shares, seem more likely.

      A move to Cadillac has been noted as a possibility, but Audi has also been rumored to be considering the Brit for its new works F1 initiative. Nevertheless, Bild newspaper emphasizes, "Horner is not a candidate at Audi." The future of the long-time Red Bull team principal remains unclear.

      What is certain is that Laurent Mekies, a respected former Ferrari and FIA official, will replace Horner at Red Bull, having been promoted internally from the second team, Racing Bulls. The Frenchman will lead the last few in-season developments for the 2025 car during the upcoming Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. "We need to show Max (Verstappen) that there’s light at the end of the tunnel," team advisor Marko stated.