Ferrari are currently experiencing the longest championship drought of their storied history in Formula 1, and Juan Pablo Montoya believes he knows the secret to the Prancing Horse unlocking their potential and reemerging as the best team on the grid.
After coming agonisingly close to winning the constructors’ championship last season, many thought that Ferrari would be in the perfect position to build on the positives and mount another championship challenge this year.
However, thanks to the dominance of McLaren and the woes of Lewis Hamilton, the Scuderia have struggled to replicate the feats of their rivals as they look to end the season without a Grand Prix victory to their name.
Team principal Fred Vasseur was handed an extension to his existing Ferrari contract in July, with the Italian constructor putting their faith in the Frenchman to lead the team back to their pedestal at the top of the grid.
Juan Pablo Montoya believes Christian Horner could be Ferrari’s saviour amid F1 title drought
Speaking on a recent episode of MontoyAS, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya was asked for his opinion on what Christian Horner’s next steps would be following the confirmation of his exit from Red Bull on Monday.
The Colombian replied, “Christian is going to end up in Formula 1 again, and someone like him is very valuable because many people believe in him, and many big companies like the relationships he builds.
“The connections he created at Red Bull show that he can achieve big things, and he understands what it takes to win. He has been there since the beginning; it would be like being able to hire Toto Wolff.
“Of course, that would never happen because Toto is part-owner of Mercedes, but if another team could hire him, it would be the same kind of coup. In fact, Ferrari needs someone like Christian Horner if they want to succeed.
“They need someone proven, someone who has won, and who can deliver what Christian brings. Right now, Fred [Vasseur] is doing a very good job, but he comes from managing Sauber, not from managing a championship-winning car.”
Montoya isn’t alone in his evaluation of the 57-year-old at the Scuderia. F1 commentator David Croft also believes Vasseur won’t bring Ferrari glory, citing the current conditions of the team with the imminent introduction of F1’s new 2026 regulations.
Christian Horner’s history with Adrian Newey could also make Aston Martin a ‘better’ option than other F1 teams
A number of teams have emerged as viable options for the 51-year-old since he departed the team in July. Horner is able to return to F1 during the 2026 summer break, which is one of the terms of his severance package from Red Bull.
Haas are touted to be a possible destination for Horner, but Montoya sees Aston Martin as a better fit for the former team principal, adding, “I would have bet more on Aston Martin than Haas.
| CHRISTIAN HORNER’S RECORD AS RED BULL F1 TEAM PRINCIPAL | |
| Grands Prix entered | 406 |
| Wins | 124 |
| Podiums | 287 |
| Pole positions | 107 |
| Points | 8,009 |
| Drivers’ championships | 8 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
| Constructors’ championships | 6 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023) |
“I think Aston Martin is in a better position for Christian to be able to make a difference in the short term. He gets along very well with Newey.”
The British executive certainly isn’t short of options for a return to the F1 paddock.
There is no doubt that whoever he ends up choosing will benefit greatly from his expertise, which saw Red Bull win eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships under his leadership.