Liuzzi: Horner could be 'perfect' Vasseur replacement at Ferrari

Former Formula One driver Vitantonio Liuzzi believes Christian Horner would be the "perfect choice" to replace Fred Vasseur if Ferrari parted ways with their team principal.

Ferrari finished second in the constructors' championship last season, 14 points behind McLaren, and were tipped to challenge the front-runners again in the current campaign.

Despite adding seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to their ranks, Ferrari are already 238 points behind McLaren this season and are yet to win a single race.

The Scuderia are the most successful team in the history of the competition, winning 16 constructors' titles, but have failed to win the team championship since 2008.

Although Liuzzi thinks Vasseur should stay as team principal, he believes the team should look at Horner if they do decide to move on.

"Things do not happen overnight in F1," Liuzzi told Stats Perform.

"You need time to make substantial changes to be back on track. In the last years Ferrari did not win the title, but they managed to be in contention somehow.

"Sometimes people are very drastic towards Ferrari, they are expecting Ferrari to win the title.

"I think Vasseur was the right person to sort Ferrari's problems.

"It is too early to say if Vasseur will be able to reverse this difficult moment. Should Ferrari decide to part ways with Vasseur, Horner would be a perfect choice."

A closer look at the SF-25 pic.twitter.com/B3OA8q7nUt
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) July 10, 2025

After 20 years in charge, six constructors' titles and eight drivers' championships in F1, Red Bull decided to dismiss Horner from his role earlier this week.

Max Verstappen, who is third in the driver standings this season, was heavily linked with a move to Mercedes following Red Bull's recent struggles to compete.

Liuzzi, formerly of Red Bull, said he would not be surprised if either Verstappen, or his father Jos, were involved in the decision to part ways with Horner.

Liuzzi added: "I would say the Verstappen family has a certain leverage, not only Max's father.

"Of course, Max has demonstrated to deserve the leadership he has in the team. He is a great leader.

"Maybe we could question his methods when he deals with his team-mates or the F1 world in general, but he is a champion who deserves everything he won. He is carrying a whole team and for sure he is very influential.

"Whether it be him or his father, the Verstappen family has definitely a leverage in the decision making. I don't know if they made the call on Horner, but I can tell you that their opinion matters in the team."