Toto Wolff denies wanting to dam Christian Horner from returning to F1 however warns former rival over ‘repercussions’ for previous actions

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has denied making an attempt to dam Christian Horner from returning to Formulation 1 however says his former rival might be going through “repercussions” for breaking “quite a lot of glass” throughout his time as Crimson Bull boss.

Horner was sacked from his positions as group principal and chief govt at Crimson Bull in July final yr however has expressed an curiosity in returning to deal with what he has described as “unfinished business” within the sport.

A doable avenue again to the paddock for Horner gave the impression to be opening when the 52-year-old Brit’s curiosity in shopping for the 24 per cent stake in Alpine owned by non-public funding agency Otro Capital was confirmed in January.

Nonetheless, it has since been confirmed that Wolff and Mercedes are additionally interested by shopping for the out there stake in Alpine.

Wolff informed the Press Affiliation: “He (Horner) has damaged various glass, and these items have repercussions in our microcosm. If you say issues – however that’s what he has performed all his life, and that’s what he is aware of greatest.

“Us that stake is in no reference to Christian. And the thought that there’s a rivalry between Christian and me round who buys an Alpine stake is made up. It could be fairly unhappy if that was a consideration of doing such an funding 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 and Horner grew to become two of the most important names within the sport because the rivalry between their groups – most notably when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fought for the 2021 drivers’ title – captured the creativeness of followers.

Horner had newer success as Verstappen received 4 successive titles from 2021-2024, however the final 18 months of his tenure had been clouded by accusations of controlling behaviour by a feminine colleague. Horner was twice cleared of the claims.

With Aston Martin showing to favour Jonathan Wheatley, who beforehand labored underneath Horner at Crimson Bull, as their subsequent group principal, there’s presently not an apparent route again into the type of place he would want.

Wolff continued: “I am in two minds about it (Horner returning to F1). The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport.

“I mentioned to (Ferrari group principal) Fred Vasseur that it wants ‘the great, the unhealthy, and the ugly’. And it’s now solely the great and the ugly left. The unhealthy is gone.

“Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don’t think so.

“However even after I had the most important frustration, and anger with him, you want to remind your self that even your worst enemy has a greatest buddy so there have to 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 with him over dinner and a had a laugh.

“Over these years it was simply too intense, too fierce, and issues occurred which even right now I can’t comprehend why he has performed them.

“I don’t know if he is finding his way back, and in which function. 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 scenario that no matter occurs, no matter outcomes there could also be, whether or not he comes again to Formulation 1 or not, I’m comfortable with it.”

Formula 1 returns on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the season’s second Sprint weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime