Toto Wolff, the formidable Mercedes team principal, has dropped a bombshell that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community: he actually misses his longtime rival Christian Horner! During an appearance on Channel 4’s coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Wolff candidly admitted, “In a way, I do [miss him].” This unexpected confession comes as a surprise, given the legendary tension and verbal sparring that defined the rivalry between these two titans of the sport.
In a moment that required a bleep machine to censor his frankness, Wolff described Horner as a “** very often,” highlighting the often heated exchanges that characterized their interactions. Their rivalry reached fever pitch during the nail-biting 2021 championship battle, where the stakes soared not just for drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, but also for their respective team principals. The animosity between Wolff and Horner was palpable, creating a dramatic backdrop to the competition that captivated fans around the world.
However, the landscape of Formula 1 has shifted dramatically following the shocking announcement of Horner’s departure from Red Bull Racing after the 2025 British Grand Prix. With Laurent Mekies stepping in as the new CEO, Wolff finds himself reflecting on the end of an era. “He was a polarising, controversial person. He was one of the main actors of the cast here,” Wolff remarked, acknowledging the unique presence Horner brought to the paddock. The absence of Horner, described by Wolff as “one of the old dinosaurs,” leaves a void in the competitive spirit of the sport.
Despite their fierce rivalry, Wolff’s admission reveals a begrudging respect for Horner’s contributions to Formula 1. He stated, “The performances, and the track record speaks for himself and the team.” The competitive fire that once fueled their exchanges has now dwindled, and perhaps Wolff feels the sting of loneliness without his rival to spar with in the paddock.
Wolff now stands as the longest-serving team principal in Formula 1, having taken the helm at Mercedes in 2013. When asked about his future in the sport, he humorously suggested that if performance dips, he might just relax on a sun lounger while critiquing the team from afar. Under his leadership, Mercedes enjoyed an unprecedented run, clinching eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021. Yet, the tides have turned; the team has struggled in recent seasons, with only six wins in the last three-and-a-half years.
With Horner’s exit, the Formula 1 landscape feels irrevocably changed. Wolff’s unexpected nostalgia for his rival signals not just a personal loss but also a shift in the competitive dynamics of the sport. As he navigates this new chapter, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this absence impacts both Mercedes and the overall atmosphere in the paddock. The rivalry that once defined a generation of Formula 1 is fading, leaving behind a legacy of fierce competition and unforgettable drama.
