Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shared fresh insight into his relationship with Christian Horner following the Briton’s high-profile departure from Red Bull.
Horner, who was removed from his position after this year’s British Grand Prix, had been one of the most influential and divisive figures in Formula 1.
During his tenure, Red Bull rose to become one of the sport’s most dominant teams, though Horner’s methods often caused friction across the paddock.
For Wolff, the rivalry with Horner was personal and professional, reaching its peak in 2021 when Mercedes and Red Bull went head-to-head for both championships.
The competition continued in subsequent seasons, and in 2024 the tension escalated further as McLaren’s Zak Brown became a central figure in disputes with Red Bull.
Wolff Recalls Text Message From Horner
After Horner’s dismissal, Wolff revealed that his old rival had reached out to him directly.
“He said to me: ‘What are you doing now, because you love to hate me and I’m gone!’” Wolff told reporters, including Motorsport Week.
The Austrian admitted Horner’s absence feels unusual after so many years of fierce competition.
“Am I missing him? It’s quite strange to come here, and Christian’s not going to be around. I mean, what are you doing with him not around? That’s a bit weird.”
Respect Mixed With Hostility
Wolff acknowledged Horner’s record as one of the most successful team principals in modern F1, even if their clashes were frequent.
“It’s a bit ambivalent because, A, his track record is very good – one of the most successful in Formula 1. So, clearly, there are things he’s done well.
“Within the team, I think he was, to a certain degree, respected in Milton Keynes.
“But then we didn’t often have the same opinion or perspective. So, he’s been a wonderful, great enemy over the years.”
The Mercedes boss admitted that Horner played a unique role in shaping the sport’s narrative, particularly as a figure people either admired or opposed.
Laurent Mekies Brings a New Tone to Red Bull
Horner’s successor, Laurent Mekies, has quickly changed the dynamic within the paddock.
Wolff described the Frenchman as pragmatic and easier to engage with.
“And then you have the pragmatism of Laurent Mekies. Suddenly, you can have a conversation about the long term.
“We’re just totally different people, but even your biggest enemy is your best friend.”
The reduced hostility has altered the way Mercedes interacts with Red Bull, shifting the emphasis away from personal disputes and toward technical and strategic issues.
Formula 1 Needs Its Villains
Despite the calmer environment, Wolff warned that Formula 1 risks losing some of its entertainment value without strong personalities like Horner.
“What I said is that every movie needs the good, the bad and the ugly. Now the bad is gone, it’s only Fred [Vasseur] and I left… It took Fred a while to think about that,” Wolff joked.
“The sport needs that. In the past, we had those massive characters, and I hope that some of the new team principals are going to grow into these roles in an authentic way, because you can’t fake it.
“Christian was one of those protagonists. He was outspoken, he was controversial, he was an ass, and he loved to play that role. You need an asshole, people need to hate someone.”
For Wolff, Horner’s departure marks the end of an era but also raises the question of who will step up to fill the void left by one of Formula 1’s most controversial figures.