Broken glass makes Horner return difficult - Wolff
A return to Formula 1 will be difficult for former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner because he has "broken quite a lot of glass", says ex-Mercedes rival Toto Wolff. Horner was sacked in July after 20 years in his role following declining form and internal disputes. The 52-year-old had been accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.
Horner was twice cleared of the claims, firstly after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, then by another lawyer who dismissed the complainant's appeal. "He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm," Mercedes team principal Wolff told the Press Association. Horner, who led Red Bull to eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships, and Wolff endured a rivalry for much of the past decade.
In January Alpine said Horner was among "multiple interested parties" to have discussed investment with the team. Wolff and Mercedes are also looking at buying private investment firm Otro Capital's 24% shares in Alpine. Wolff said there is "no connection" with Horner in regards that investment and it would be "quite sad" if that was a consideration.
"I am in two minds about it [Horner returning to F1]. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport," Wolff said.
"I said to [Ferrari team principal] Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.