Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed he is "in two minds" about Christian Horner potentially returning to Formula One.

Horner was sacked from his role as Red Bull team principal last July due to poor form and internal disputes within the team.

Advertisement

He led Red Bull to eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships during his 20 years in charge, forging a rivalry with Wolff at Mercedes.

Following battles between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, the rivalry seemed to peak when Max Verstappen went head-to-head with Hamilton prior to the latter's move to Ferrari.

Although Wolff was not overly excited about a potential return for Horner, who was linked with investing in Alpine, the Mercedes boss admitted F1 could benefit from Horner's presence.

"He has broken quite a lot of glass, and these things have repercussions in our microcosm," Mercedes team principal Wolff told the Press Association.

"I am in two minds about it [Horner returning to F1]. The sport is missing personalities. And his personality was clearly very controversial and that is good for the sport.

Mercedes. McLaren. Ferrari. 

"I said to [Ferrari team principal] Fred Vasseur that it needs the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it is now only the good and the ugly left. The bad is gone.

"Would I consider that he could ever be an ally or someone that shares objectives? I don't think so.

"But even when I had the biggest frustration and anger with him, you need to remind yourself that even your worst enemy has a best friend, so there must be some goodness.

"If there wasn't that competitive rivalry over so many years, and if there was more water down the river, I am sure I could have hung with him over dinner and had a laugh."