Christian Horner joked in a text message to Toto Wolff that the Mercedes boss will be lost without him after his sacking by Red Bull after the British Grand Prix, it has emerged.

And the Mercedes team boss has admitted that it is “quite strange” that Horner is no longer a presence in the F1 paddock.

Toto Wolff doubles down on Christian Horner ‘a**hole’ comment

Horner was sacked by Red Bull after more than 20 years in charge following July’s British Grand Prix, with Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies installed as his replacement as chief executive and team principal.

The 51-year-old stands as one of the most successful team bosses in history having led Red Bull to six Constructors’ titles and eight Drivers’ championships – split evenly between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen – since h

See Full Page