The fierce rivalry between Formula 1's top team principals has escalated off the track, with Christian Horner pulling back the curtain on a simmering text-message war with Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff.
In a revealing interview, the Red Bull boss detailed how the psychological battle between the two extends far beyond the paddock, playing out on their personal phones. Horner admitted the exchanges are often far from cordial, describing Wolff as a rival he rarely agrees with.
The mind games have become a hallmark of their competition, with Horner suggesting Wolff employs various tactics to gain a psychological edge. This includes the Mercedes principal famously blocking Horner on his phone after a particularly tense exchange—a move that speaks volumes about the intensity of their relationship.
Horner didn't hold back in his assessment, stating the rivalry is so intense precisely because their personalities and approaches are polar opposites. "We are very different people. We operate in very different ways," he explained, highlighting the fundamental clash that fuels their ongoing feud.
This personal duel mirrors the on-track battle between their teams, which has defined the modern era of Formula 1. As both teams develop their cars for the new season, the psychological warfare between Horner and Wolff continues to be as crucial as the technical development back at their factories.
