Lewis Hamilton: Who Slept Worst Last Night?

Christian Horner’s Ferrari comments reignite speculation

A few years ago, the idea of Lewis Hamilton racing for Ferrari under former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would have seemed highly improbable. Even after the 2026 Baku weekend, however, there is little evidence that the theoretical scenario is developing into a concrete possibility.

In a recent interview with The Times, Horner said he could comfortably afford never to work again but still wanted to return to Formula 1. The former Red Bull Racing team principal added that he would not necessarily come back only as an investor. Ferrari, he said, would be the exception: the one team for which he would consider returning as a traditional employee.

That possibility would create an unusual dynamic for Hamilton, given the history between the seven-time world champion and Horner. For now, though, the speculation appears to have limited substance. Horner is preparing for a promotional tour for his new book, Drive, and high-profile stories connecting him with Ferrari help keep his name in the public conversation while also promoting the book and related events.

Lewis Hamilton backs Frederic Vasseur’s Ferrari leadership

Hamilton does not appear to be seeking a change in Ferrari’s leadership. When Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater asked him on Saturday evening in Baku whether he still believed Ferrari was on the right path under team principal Frederic Vasseur, Hamilton’s response was brief and unequivocal: Yes.

Ferrari has reportedly been in contact with Horner on several occasions. In 2010, there was speculation that Ferrari wanted to bring him from Milton Keynes to Maranello as part of a package involving Adrian Newey. Horner’s carefully worded comments to The Times also indicate that he could be interested if Ferrari decided to dismiss Vasseur.

Sky Germany pundit Timo Glock said Horner’s comments had placed Vasseur in an unnecessarily difficult position:

Vasseur has brought Ferrari back to where they are now. He has brought structure and order into the team. To replace him now and start the next wave of upheaval would, strategically speaking, be completely wrong from Ferrari’s point of view.

Horner would likely command a significant salary and could not guarantee success. He also remains a divisive figure following allegations made during his final years at Red Bull. The boos directed at him during Formula 1’s season-launch show at the O2 Arena in early 2025 demonstrated that he remained polarising among some fans.

Frederic Vasseur says Horner story is becoming a distraction

Vasseur has openly acknowledged that the continuing discussion about Horner is affecting Ferrari’s working environment. He said:

Mr Horner is looking for a job. That everybody knows. Everywhere.

Vasseur also described the repeated questions as damaging to the team’s focus:

It’s not easy to work with this mood and this atmosphere and to have 25 times a day the same question. For me, for everybody in the team, it’s a lack of serenity.

A clear public reaffirmation of Vasseur by Ferrari’s senior leadership could help limit the speculation. The source argues that Ferrari chairman John Elkann could quickly end the issue by publicly clarifying the team’s position, rather than allowing the Horner story to dominate discussion around Ferrari.

Hamilton’s Ferrari results have improved, but frustrations remain

Hamilton is unlikely to be focused solely on the possibility of Horner becoming his team principal. His prospects of winning the 2026 world championship are now largely mathematical, while Ferrari may still need more time to close its power-unit deficit to Mercedes. The team could potentially develop one of Formula 1’s strongest cars aerodynamically, but Vasseur has acknowledged that matching Mercedes in the engine department is likely to take longer.

There have nevertheless been positive developments in Hamilton’s season. At Barcelona, he showed that he remains capable of winning a Grand Prix after turning 40. He is third in the drivers’ championship, 20 points ahead of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who is fifth. Hamilton’s 2026 form has also answered some of the criticism that followed his 2025 campaign.

His public comments, however, have often remained frustrated despite the stronger results. During races, Hamilton has made radio statements that could reasonably be interpreted as irritation. In television interviews afterward, he has spent considerable time discussing what went wrong before adding that everything within Ferrari is fine. At the next race, he has then questioned how journalists could have interpreted his comments so negatively.

After Baku, Hamilton criticised Ferrari’s lack of top speed and referred to a poor start, an area in which the team had performed better earlier in the season. He said Ferrari must not lie to itself and noted that McLaren and Red Bull had made greater progress. He described the race as a pretty bad one and also said he had been unable to bring the tyres up to temperature.

Hamilton had already criticised the tyres on Saturday, calling them these stupid tyres and such a pain in the arse before adding: We’ve got to bring back some good tyres. His comments were unlikely to be received as a compliment by Pirelli employees. The wider tone of his assessment also did not sound like Great job, guys.

Why This Matters

The Horner-Ferrari speculation highlights the pressure surrounding Ferrari’s long-term direction, even as Hamilton’s results have improved in 2026. Replacing Vasseur would risk creating another period of upheaval at a team that, according to Glock, has gained structure and order under his leadership.

For Hamilton, the central issue remains whether Ferrari can give him a realistic opportunity to win an eighth world title. The team’s aerodynamic potential and its continuing deficit to Mercedes in power-unit performance will be important factors. At present, the available evidence supports continued uncertainty rather than a clear path to another championship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Christian Horner confirm that he is joining Ferrari?

No. Horner said Ferrari is the one Formula 1 team for which he would consider returning as an employee, but there is no confirmation that Ferrari intends to hire him.

Does Lewis Hamilton support Frederic Vasseur remaining at Ferrari?

When asked in Baku whether Ferrari was still on the right path under Vasseur, Hamilton answered: Yes.

How is Lewis Hamilton performing for Ferrari in 2026?

Hamilton is third in the 2026 drivers’ championship, 20 points ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc in fifth. He has also won a Grand Prix in Barcelona, although he continues to express frustration about Ferrari’s performance and tyre management.