Hamilton’s comment was followed by an awkward silence

FORMULA 1 legend Jacques Villeneuve says Christian Horner “doesn’t seem to be affected by pressure” so could be Ferrari’s team principal.

However, if Lewis Hamilton’s response to the news of Horner’s sacking is anything to go off, it may not be the match Villeneuve thinks it could be.


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Christian Horner was sacked three days after the British Grand PrixCredit: Getty


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Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024Credit: Getty


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He’s been tipped to join Ferrari but Lewis Hamilton isn’t sureCredit: AFP


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Villeneuve thinks he could ‘shoulder the pressure’ of FerrariCredit: Getty
Horner was sacked by Red Bull after 20 years earlier this month from his position as team principal.

The team have not publicly provided a reason for his dismissal. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024.

Horner – who is now out of work – has denied these allegations.

Speaking to Vision4Sport, who provide Formula 1 tickets and packages, 1997 world champion Villeneuve said on the Brit: “Christian Horner to Ferrari would be an interesting one.

“He’s been solid, doesn’t seem to have been very affected by pressure, even in tough times.

“So, he might well be one that could be able to shoulder Ferrari.”

But on Thursday, Hamilton gave a brutal response to a question on Horner’s sacking ahead of the Belgium Grand Prix.

With a dead-pan look on his face, he said: “It doesn’t change anything in my life.”

That comment was followed by an awkward silence in the press conference.

Hamilton – who stunned the F1 world when he switched from Mercedes to Ferrari – failed to podium at the British Grand Prix earlier this month.

His fourth place finish brought an end to finishing in the top three for 12 Silverstone races in a row as he finished behind Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second at the Monaco Grand Prix in May behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.

And Villeneuve thinks this inconsistent form is a reoccurring theme for the Italian team.

He said: “It’s like that every year. It’s really bad, and then suddenly they win in Monaco.

“Then it’s great and they’ve turned the corner, then it goes back to being very bad and so on. So, let’s wait.”

Ferrari principle Fred Vasseur has been in focus this season, with fans questioning if time will run out for him after a tricky season for the Italian team.

Asked about Vasseur’s future, Villeneuve said the job is always a “risky proposition”.

He said: “The team principal at Ferrari is always under threat. That’s the name of the game.

“When you accept going to Ferrari, you know that you’re walking on fire, you’re walking on eggs. It’s always a risky proposition.

“And if you take that job, which puts you in the limelight, you have to accept the consequences, which means it’s easy to just be chopped

“You live under constant pressure, and you have to accept it from the media, from everyone and you complain about it because a team principal there is always one who managed to remove his predecessor.

“There’s always a lot of politics. So, if it happens to Vasseur there should not be any surprise.”