Toto Wolff searching for Christian Horner F1 replacement

Toto Wolff and Christian Horner — Photo: © IMAGO

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Toto Wolff searching for Christian Horner replacement

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff misses his former rival

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Wednesday 20 August 2025 18:56

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Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff is on the hunt for a figure in the paddock who can replace Christian Horner as his fierce rival.

The former colleagues previously reigned supreme over their respective F1 teams for over a decade alongside one another before Horner was sacked in July 2025.

In his 20th season at the helm of the energy drink giants' main F1 team, the 51-year-old was replaced with immediate effect by former Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies.

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The Frenchman has an impressive wealth of experience and is more than capable of replacing Horner as Red Bull F1 team principal, but many have noted the stark contrast in their personalities and Mekies' lack of a fiery nature.

And it seems no one has noticed the drastic shift in the mood of the paddock more than Wolff, who admitted he misses the dramatic rivalry he once had with Horner.

Speaking to Formula.hu, the Austrian F1 boss said: "When you look back, it really has always been an interesting story. Those years, but especially 2021, weren't just about Max and Lewis, but also about Christian and me.

"What's more, it was really difficult at times, and that's in every history book and always will be.

"You know, he always said that I loved to hate him. So who should I hate now? It looks like I'll have to find someone else..." Wolff concluded.

Toto Wolff's rivalry with Christian Horner has ended now the Red Bull boss has been sacked

F1 paddock reeling from Horner exit

McLaren CEO Zak Brown also noted the impact Horner's exit would have on his garage, but took a rather different approach to Wolff, claiming that F1 would be 'healthier' without Horner and the atmosphere he brought with him.

Horner's shock exit from the sport certainly shook up the paddock and has led many to question what's next for the ex-Red Bull boss.

Could he make a comeback in a role with one of his former rivals, will he sail off into the sunset never to return to the sport, or will he even head up the new Cadillac project and reunite with his former driver Sergio Perez? The F1 rumour mill has gone into full overdrive.

But what is for certain is that Horner's rivals, and the Netflix Drive to Survive cameras no doubt, will miss the competitive nature that Horner brought to the sport.

Rivalries are what drives the championship after all and with McLaren having practically run away with the 2025 constructors' title already, this season is certainly short of them.

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