Ferrari are reportedly lining up an audacious bid to sign Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Scuderia bosses are set to react to their disappointing start to the F1 season, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton only fifth and sixth in the drivers' standings respectively.

That's led to speculation over the future of Fred Vasseur. The 56-year-old replaced Mattia Binotto as team boss after the 2022, season, but hasn't managed to lead the Italian giants to a drivers' or constructors' title. Despite an improved showing in Monaco, Ferrari lie fourth in the overall standings, already 177 points off leaders McLaren.

According to Bild, Ferrari have now sounded out Horner over a potential move. The Englishman, 51, is currently contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2026, but his future has been in the spotlight amid a fallout with team advisor Helmut Marko.

Horner however, is said to be keen to stay on at Red Bull. He's been with the team since 2005, and has overseen eight title victories, four to Sebastian Vettel and four to Max Verstappen.

Verstappen is currently up against it to win a fifth consecutive crown. He trails overall leader Oscar Piastri by 25 points, with the McLaren cars appearing superior in pace to their rivals.

The prospect of Horner becoming the boss of Lewis Hamilton is an intriguing one. During the 2021 season, when Verstappen controversially beat the British icon to the title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, relations between the pair were spiky.

Horner criticised Hamilton's driving after he clashed with Verstappen in the British Grand Prix, calling it "desperate" and "out of order." He also dismissed the notion that the Mercedes man was hard done by in Abu Dhabi, arguing Hamilton lost the race due to a strategic error and not the dubious safety car call.

However, he also praised the seven-time world champion for his dignified reaction after the race. Horner said Hamilton handled himself with "grace and dignity" after approaching his rival and Horner to congratulate them.