Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
Horner says he turned down Mercedes team principal role in 2012
Christian Horner says he turned down an offer to lead Mercedes as its Formula 1 team principal in 2012.
Niki Lauda, then a senior Mercedes figure, made the offer to Horner at his home during the Christmas break.
Horner was leading Red Bull, which had won its first constructors’ and drivers’ titles in 2010.
He says loyalty to Red Bull and the team he had built led him to stay.
Lauda was looking for a successor to Ross Brawn, who was leaving the team.
Toto Wolff was later appointed Mercedes team principal instead.
Horner recounts the approach in his memoir, Drive, released on October 22, 2026.
His account offers a glimpse of how a major change in team leadership might have altered his Formula 1 career.
Christian Horner says Niki Lauda asked him to become Mercedes team principal during the Christmas break in 2012.
Horner says he turned down the offer because he had no intention of leaving Red Bull and was loyal to the team and Dietrich Mateschitz.
Lauda was seeking a successor to Ross Brawn after Michael Schumacher’s retirement following the 2012 season.
Toto Wolff was later appointed Mercedes team principal.
Horner recounts the approach in his memoir, Drive, released on October 22, 2026.
- Who
- Christian Horner and Niki Lauda. Lauda approached Horner about joining Mercedes.
- What
- Horner says he rejected an offer to become Mercedes team principal.
- When
- During the Christmas break in 2012.
- Where
- Lauda visited Horner at his house. The location is not stated.
- Why
- Horner says he had never considered leaving Red Bull and was loyal to the team and Dietrich Mateschitz.
Christian Horner
Niki Lauda
Reason for the move
Christian Horner
Horner says leaving Red Bull had never crossed his mind and that he was loyal to the team.
Niki Lauda
Lauda asked Horner to join Mercedes as team principal and presented an offer.
Potential salary
Christian Horner
Horner says Lauda laid out figures for his potential salary, but Horner declined.
Niki Lauda
Lauda said Mercedes could pay Horner more than Red Bull.
Horner believed Lauda had convinced Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes for 2013.
Lauda visited Horner at his house and asked him to become Mercedes team principal.
Toto Wolff was appointed to the role.
- Offer
- Mercedes team principal
- Approached by
- Niki Lauda
- Approach timing
- Christmas break, 2012
- Red Bull team owner
- Dietrich Mateschitz
- Later appointee
- Toto Wolff
3 sources
What people are saying
During the Christmas break, Niki came to my house and asked me to join Mercedes as his team principal.
I was caught off guard. Leaving Red Bull had never crossed my mind.
Red Bull will never pay you what Mercedes can
I respect you as a racer. I want you to come. Besides, Helmut is a miserable bastard.