Christian Horner brushes Ferrari rumours aside, reaffirms commitment to Red Bull

Christian Horner has rubbished speculation he's in line for the Ferrari team boss job, the Briton saying he's "very much" committed to Red Bull.

Ferrari has begun the search for a new team principal after the Scuderia announced Mattia Binotto had handed in his resignation.

Said to be a case of jump rather than be pushed, the 53-year-old Italian paid the price for Ferrari's error-strewn 2022 championship in which they saw a 46-point advantage overturned by Red Bull and Max Verstappen who romped to the championship double.

Charles Leclerc was a distant runner-up, with Ferrari second in the Constructors' Championship. But as former Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said: "When you are second for Ferrari, it is something that is not enough."

Sky Sports asked Horner to weigh in on Binotto's exit, telling Craig Slater he was "not really" surprised to hear the news.

"It is obviously Ferrari's choice," he added. "I think it will be the sixth team principal I have sat opposite since I've been at Red Bull.

"Obviously difficult for him. They had a great car this year; they were very competitive."

New team leader

Since 2005 when Horner was named team boss at Red Bull, Ferrari have had Jean Todt, Domenicali, Marco Mattiacci, Maurizio Arrivabene and Binotto at the helm.

According to reports, they are now keen on Alfa Romeo team principal Fred Vasseur taking over from Binotto, having previously knocked on Horner's door.

Asked about speculation Ferrari came calling last winter already, Horner did not confirm or deny that, saying: "My commitment is very much with the Red Bull team. I've been there since the beginning and have a very close attachment."

Christian Horner predicts a 'really tough season next year.'

This season it was all Red Bull in