Jul.16 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher does not think Christian Horner’s widely-rumoured Formula 1 comeback will be with Aston Martin.
The former Red Bull boss has been linked with Aston Martin, Alpine and even a possible BYD-backed twelfth entry, but Schumacher believes several obstacles stand in the way.
“I can’t imagine Christian Horner coming back as team principal, certainly not under anyone with the character of Lawrence Stroll,” he told Sky Deutschland.
“I don’t think that would work. At least that’s how I see it.”
Instead, Schumacher recalls that Jonathan Wheatley is widely tipped to take over as team boss at the Silverstone based team.
“It is quiet around him at the moment, but I see him returning at some point and taking over such a position.
“What would Christian Horner do at Aston Martin?”
Schumacher thinks Horner’s next move will depend on gaining more control than he had at Red Bull. “There, he would have a strong boss above him again, with whom he is not given all the freedom,” he explained.
“Horner probably wants to be a shareholder. Logically, he also does not want to end up again in a situation where he can be dismissed. I think everyone can understand that.”
Instead, Schumacher believes the BYD rumours will refuse to go away.
“I think the subject of BYD is still playing out,” he said.
“Alpine is also mentioned, but before Christian gets a chance there, something would have to change around Flavio Briatore first. That doesn’t seem so easy to me.”
Schumacher nevertheless believes Horner deserves another opportunity in Formula 1.
“You can’t forget that, no matter what happened or not, he’s been one of the most successful team bosses in Formula 1,” he said.
“That’s why he has absolutely the right to get a role here again. He knows the sport and knows exactly how everything works.”
“A controversial person is also part of the big stage that is Formula 1. A character like Christian Horner is part of that.”
Schumacher even revealed that Toto Wolff has acknowledged Horner’s absence.
“Toto apparently even sent him a message in which he indicated that he was a huge opponent, but that he misses him anyway. Those two really fought each other very hard.”
As for Aston Martin, Schumacher said the presence of Adrian Newey also makes a reunion difficult to imagine.
“Of course, anything is possible. Maybe Lawrence Stroll will sell the place someday, and then Horner can come back into the picture.”