Horner shuts down rumours of Ferrari move

Redbull Formula 1 racing team boss Christian Horner has dismissed rumours that he is set to move to rivals Ferrari at the end of the current season.

Earlier this week, Germany's Bild newspaper reported that Ferrari had recently sounded out the Briton as a possible replacement for Fred Vasseur, who has been under unending pressure regarding their poor start to the season.

Horner, though, known to be forthright, took to the media and, without wasting too much time, poured cold water on those ideas ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.

"Of course, it’s always flattering to be associated with other teams. But my commitment, 100%, is with Red Bull. It always has been and certainly will be for the long term," the Briton was quoted by Reuters.

He admitted to knowing about the speculation but quickly laughed it off as fantasy.

"There’s a bunch of speculation always is in this business, people coming here, going there, whatever. I think people in the team know exactly what the situation is," said Horner.

Horner has led Red Bull since they entered the sport in 2005, winning eight drivers' titles with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen and six constructors' crowns, and he is the longest-serving of the 10 team principals.

Red Bull have lost top designer Adrian Newey, now at Aston Martin, while former sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has become principal at Sauber.

Max Verstappen's future has also been much discussed, although he has a contract to 2028, while the Dutch driver's father, Jos, fell out with Horner last year.

Ferrari, joined in January by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, have yet to win this season and are fourth overall after eight of 24 races.

Their new driver, Lewis Hamilton, has already shared his frustration with the manner in which he has begun the season.