Christian Horner has given his take on the "interesting" team boss changes seen across the paddock during the off-season. Several outfits will start the 2023 campaign with a new leader in place. Following Mattia Binotto's resignation from Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur – formerly at Alfa Romeo – was confirmed to take on the role of Team Principal and General Manager as of January. Elsewhere, McLaren's Andreas Seidl departed to become CEO at Sauber, with Andrea Stella stepping into his position at the Woking-based squad. At Williams, the vacancy left following Jost Capito's exit has been filled by former Mercedes Motorsport Strategy Director James Vowles. Horner – who is the longest-serving Team Principal on the grid, having joined Red Bull in 2005 – admits that he was curious to watch the developments at diferent teams over the winter.
Horner curious over team boss dynamics
"It has been interesting to watch the movement," Horner told Motor Sport Magazine . "I've sympathy for Mattia, because ultimately he'd done a good job. Last year, that was a big step forward from where they had been, so that must be tough for him after such long service that he had given to Ferrari. "Fred, it'll be interesting to see if he's still arguing about the same points that he was for Sauber in upcoming meetings! But again, he's a very capable guy. "So yeah, it'll be very interesting. I'm sure they're all very capable people. So we'll get to see what the dynamics are at the next Formula 1 Commission meeting."
Horner on Vowles' move to Williams
With Vowles moving to Williams from Mercedes, Horner is not concerned about this having any kind of additional benefit for the Silver Arrows. "I don't know James particularly well, but he's obviously a very capable guy," Horner explained. "Williams will have done their due diligence and research and I think it's great that they're giving him the chance to make that step up. So I think that can only be good news for Williams. "And is there anything attached to that? Williams would have obviously done what's right for them and right for their business. But only they will know what has been agreed for that early release to have happened."
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