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F1 News Today: Horner tells all on Ricciardo as Halliwell helped ex-boss sign star
Former Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner believes Daniel Ricciardo could have been a world champion if Red Bull had been more competitive during his time with the team. Ricciardo won seven of his eight grand prix victories while driving for Red Bull between 2014 and 2018. Horner, who led Red Bull from 2005 to 2025, shared this insight in a recent interview.
In a surprising turn of events, Geri Halliwell, Christian Horner’s wife and Spice Girls singer, played a role in helping Horner secure a signing from Red Bull’s rivals, Mercedes. Horner recounted this story after leaving Red Bull last summer, shedding light on the unconventional method he used to attract a Mercedes staff member to join Red Bull’s 2026 engine project.
Lando Norris, the popular F1 driver, opened up about the impact of his rising fame on his family, particularly his mum, Cisca Wauman. Norris achieved his childhood dream of winning his maiden drivers’ title in 2025, narrowly defeating Max Verstappen in a thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi. His mum’s increased public profile following the victory has been a new reality for their family.
Sky Sports F1 announced their testing coverage schedule for the first week of 2026 testing in Bahrain, where all 11 teams are set to participate. The controversy over the lack of coverage surrounding pre-season testing persists, but Sky unveiled their broadcast schedule ahead of the Bahrain sessions from February 11 to February 13.
An F1 insider speculated on the possibility of Lewis Hamilton leaving Ferrari this year, hinting at a potential early exit for the seven-time champion. Despite Hamilton’s optimism for his second season with Ferrari, doubts remain about whether the partnership will bring the success he desires. The insider suggested that Hamilton could face more disappointment with the Scuderia in 2026.
