Horner aims Monaco tax haven dig at Wolff
Toto Wolff and Christian Horner shake hands in front of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix trophy. Yas Marina December 2021.
Christian Horner brought up Toto Wolff’s tax status as he described his approach to Red Bull compared to his Mercedes counterpart.
As Red Bull emerged to provide stern competition to Mercedes in 2021, it was not only the on-track battles which stole the headlines.
Instead, back in the paddock, Red Bull principal Horner and Mercedes boss Wolff clashed verbally on multiple occasions.
Both said that those days had been left in the past as Formula 1 prepares to go racing in 2022, but already Horner risked reopening those old wounds by explaining that Wolff likes to work “remotely” from a “tax haven”, while Horner always has a full diary at the race track or factory.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about his approach compared to Wolff, Horner said: “We are very different.
“If I’m not at the race track, I’m in the factory. I’m not living as a tax exile in Monaco, running a team remotely. I am hands-on. My diary is full from the moment I arrive to the moment I leave, dealing with issues within the team. I have very much an open-door policy.
“I grew up in the sport. I was a race driver that turned my hand to running a team. I’m a racer at heart.
“Toto has come from a very different background. He has a financial background and is very driven by what the balance sheet says. Results dictate that performance.
“Does he share the same passion as a racer? I have no idea. Will he be here in 10 years’ time or will he have cashed in and be on his super yacht? I have no idea.”
Although keeping their words soft and sweet is certainly not applicable when this duo gets going, Horner made it clear that he does not have any ill-feeling towards Wolff at all on a personal level.
In fact, Horner does not believe Wolff is a “bad guy”, but the Austrian “bites quite easy”, which can be fun to exploit.
“My relationship with Toto is… you know, it’s professional,” said Horner.
“He’s not the kind of guy I’m going to go and have dinner with or spend private time with, but I have a respect for what he’s done and what he’s achieved.
“Of course, as far as I’m concerned, 2021 is done and dusted. It’s now all about 2022. Will he be the main opponent this year? I have no idea.
‘Do I like him? I have no personal issue with Toto. He’s the kind of guy that bites quite easy, so it’s always fun to wind him up a bit. But he’s not a bad guy, that’s for sure.”
Red Bull deny Horner made Mercedes comments
Red Bull have denied that Christian Horner made comments surrounding the W13.