Mercedes’ Toto Wolff says he is “in two minds” about the prospect of facing off against his old Red Bull foe Christian Horner again if the latter returns to Formula 1.
Since his dismissal from Red Bull last July, Horner has been working behind the scenes with groups of investors on the right opportunity to return to the series, seeking a part-ownership that would help him gain a firm foothold in whichever team he joins.
A return of Horner, one of the main architect behind Red Bull’s two eras of dominance, would likely see him reprise a bitter rivalry with his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff, with the two often crossing swords over the past decade as their two teams fought for the world championship.
When asked in an interview with Press Association how he would feel about Horner returning to the series, Wolff replied: “I am in two minds about it. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport. I said to [Ferrari team boss] Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.
“He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm. When you say things… but that is what he has done all his life, and that is what he knows best.”
Horner’s name has most recently been connected to a 24% minority stake in Alpine, which current owner Otro Capital is interested in selling. It has recently emerged Mercedes is one of the other parties interested in the Alpine share, but Wolff dismissed suggestions it is part of a ploy to block Horner’s return.
“Us looking at that stake is in no connection with Christian,” Wolff said. “And the idea that there is a rivalry between Christian and me around who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It would be quite sad if that was a consideration of doing such an investment or not. We are looking at it from different angles, and we haven’t come to any conclusions. We want to know whether it makes sense.”
Wolff stressed that he still respects Horner’s achievements with Red Bull, but finds it hard to imagine a scenario in which the two would become unlikely allies after everything that has happened, especially the infamously acrimonious 2021 title campaign between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff: ” I said to Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.”
Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images
“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don’t think so,” the Austrian said. “But even when I had the biggest frustration and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend so there must be some goodness.
“If there wasn’t that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have had hung [out] with him over dinner and a had a laugh. Over those years it was just too intense, too fierce, and things happened which even today I cannot comprehend why he has done them.
“I certainly don’t wish him bad. And we need to give each other credit. There are not many team principals who have done what he has done. I see a situation that whatever happens, whatever outcomes there may be, whether he comes back to Formula 1 or not, I am at ease with it.”
Relations between Mercedes and Red Bull have largely normalised since Horner’s replacement Laurent Mekies took over command, with the Frenchman taking a much more conciliatory approach.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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