Christian Horner and Toto Wolff exchange cheeky farewell texts. Christian Horner revealed the last playful exchange of messages with rival Toto Wolff.

The Drive to Survive episode reveals Horner’s behind-the-scenes message exchange with his rival

Beloved rivals

As the respective leaders of Red Bull and Mercedes, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff have created one of the most intense rivalries between team principals in Formula 1 history. Their duel reached its peak during the controversial 2021 season, culminating in the dramatic Abu Dhabi finale and the no-holds-barred championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with Verstappen ultimately taking the title.

Both managers, among the most successful in F1 history, have forged a rivalry that is hard to replicate, both politically and in the media spotlight.

The farewell message backstory

In the Drive to Survive episode focusing on his exit from Red Bull, Christian Horner shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes moment: the final exchange of messages and playful jabs with his longtime rival, Toto Wolff.

The Austrian wrote to Horner: “I don’t know what to say, because on one hand you were a real a**hole, but on the other, the sport will miss one of its main protagonists. Who am I supposed to fight and ‘love and hate,’ as you’ve always told me? Wolff and Horner have won 14 of the last 15 world championships together. Not bad as a stat.”

Horner’s response kept the same playful tone: “I’ve really enjoyed competing with you all these years. So, thank you for the rivalry, the competition, and the tension. No one else even came close, as the statistics show. I wish you all the best. PS. You need to get a haircut!”

This final exchange perfectly reflects the mix of mutual respect and cheeky humor that has defined one of Formula 1’s most legendary rivalries.