Former F1 supremo urged Christian Horner to force shock Ferrari move

Former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has revealed that he tried to convince Christian Horner to take up a role at Ferrari following his departure from Red Bull.

Horner parted ways with the Milton Keynes-based squad last summer, bringing an end to his 20-year tenure as team principal.

The Briton has since completed a period of gardening leave and is free to return to the sport in any capacity available to him.

However, Ecclestone believes Horner faces a difficult situation regardless of where he eventually ends up.

“Christian's in a difficult position anyway,” Ecclestone told select media including RacingNews365. 

“Wherever he goes, if he doesn't succeed, people will say, 'Ah, Christian, you were very good when you were with Red Bull with big budgets' and things like that. 

'Now you're not winning because of that' or something.' So it's difficult for him.”

In the months following Horner’s departure from the squad, he was linked with a number of potential projects, including Ferrari and Aston Martin.

More recently, a more realistic opportunity has emerged at Alpine, with reports suggesting Horner was putting together a consortium of investors to purchase Otro Capital’s 24 per cent stake in the team.

But Ecclestone has stated that he was keen to see Horner make his way to Ferrari.

“I speak to him quite a bit,” Ecclestone revealed. “Early on, I was trying to convince him to try and be at Ferrari.”

When asked where he believes Horner will end up, Ecclestone replied: “No idea.”