Does Ferrari really want scandal-tainted Horner to lead the team?

In the wake of Horner’s ousting, triggered by a shift in Red Bull’s shareholder structure, speculation is that the axed F1 boss would be snatched up by Ferrari, who reportedly have approached the Englishman to lead their team on more than one occasion in recent years. But Patrese disagrees.

Speaking to the Prime Casino media team, Patrese said of it all becoming a reality: “Horner is very good, but I think that all the stories from last year would be a problem. He can put on the table his record over the last 20 years. He has a very good pedigree. But one year on, they are still talking about this story. Ferrari wants to have an image and not many distractions. This is my opinion.”

Horner’s exit follows a shift in Red Bull’s ownership structure, according to Patrese: “I heard that Horner was there because the Thais owned 51 per cent and they backed Horner. But two or three days before he was sacked, the Thai people sold two more percent to the Austrians. So now the Austrians have the majority.”

The Italian 71-year-old continued: “There is also the fight between the Austrians and the Thais at the top of the team and in the ownership. I don’t know if in all this, Jos Verstappen is involved too... now Horner has gone, why would Max leave Red Bull? I don’t understand.”

Patrese also defended Horner’s tenure, pointing to a deeper loss: “You cannot blame Horner for everything. The problem, from my point of view, is that Adrian Newey went away. Adrian is an outstanding engineer. His cars have really won everything.”

Patrese warned that Red Bull’s dominance could collapse rapidly: “At the moment, they still live with something that Adrian left. And for next year, there is a completely new car coming that Adrian didn't make. And then if you don't have a driver like Max who can make the difference, then Red Bull will be at the back.”

“If Adrian Newey is not there anymore and Verstappen is leaving, then the level of Red Bull is what Tuki Tsunoda shows. And where is Tsunoda? In the back," Patrese pointed out.

Indeed, Verstappen has scored 165 of Red Bull's F1 Constructors points in the first half of this season. Seven of those points have been scored by Tsunoda while Lawson was sent packing down to VCARB after no scores in the first two races he drove in Red Bull colours.