Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner "played down talk that he could run Formula One" after F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "named him as the ideal candidate to succeed him as the commercial chief of the motor sport," according to REUTERS. Horner: "It's very flattering what Bernie has said, but he is going to be here for a long time to come. He's in great shape and is still doing some great deals for the sport." Ecclestone said that he would "like to hand over one day to Horner, a fellow Briton with whom he gets on well." Ecclestone: "Christian would be ideal. I would be happy to hold his hand. We could have a transitional period. It needs someone who knows the sport." F1 shareholder CVC "declined to comment on the reports" (REUTERS, 11/22). The BBC reported Horner said that he is "concentrating on his job at Red Bull for the time being." Horner: "I can't see how any one individual can replace Bernie. What he does is unique and it will be a sad day for the sport when he's no longer here." Ecclestone has a "close friendship with Horner and would prefer his successor to have first-hand knowledge of the sport." Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore and supermarket chain Sainsbury CEO Justin King "have both been linked with the role in the past" (BBC, 11/22). SKY SPORTS' James Galloway reported Horner said in a statement, "I have a long term contract with the team and have said many times that there is only one Bernie Ecclestone." Horner "adopted a similar stance when previously asked about the long-mooted prospect of replacing Ecclestone at Red Bull's title-winning press conference at their Milton Keynes factory earlier this month" (SKY SPORTS, 11/22).
