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Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Bernie Ecclestone Unloads on Christian Horner After Red Bull Canning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone unloaded on former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner after the 51-year-old was fired. Horner spent more than 20 years at Red Bull Racing - constructing one of the most successful race teams in F1 history. He managed to win several championships and led a team that constructed the sport's fastest cars. While the on-track record carries few blemishes, there was some drama off the track in the Horner era. Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner poses for a photo with Bernie Ecclestone on the grid during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November... Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner poses for a photo with Bernie Ecclestone on the grid during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 12, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. More Photo byThe biggest scandal centered around Horner allegedly displaying inappropriate behavior against a female Red Bull employee. In an interview with The Telegraph, Ecclestone blasted Horner for his alleged involvement in the scandal. "This business that he got involved with 18 months ago, he was just an idiot," Ecclestone said. "He was a 50-year-old who thought he was 20, thought he was one of the boys." An independent investigation from Red Bull cleared him of wrongdoing, but the scars from the controversy reportedly remained at the team. According to reports, the inner circle of driver Max Verstappen lobbied the Red Bull board to move on from Horner. There were other parties also involved in an internal battle, but he seemingly wrestled control of the situation and remained in power. In the end, Horner lost out and was removed from the team that he built. Ecclestone believes that senior officials eventually got fed up with the power that Horner accumulated. "It would probably have been better if they had said, 'Come in, Christian, sit down,'" he said. "But the bottom line is that there are people there who thought he was getting away with things, that he was acting as if it was not the Red Bull Ring, but the Christian Horner Ring. "He got away with so many things. And all the time you're delivering, people close their eyes. But when you stop delivering, people start looking. One or two begin thinking, 'Well, I could do a better job." Horner's power grabs eventually concentrated all of the responsibility on him. When he won, the team principal was celebrated. But as soon as the champagne stopped flowing, all of the fingers in Red Bull pointed at one man. "You get very few executives who can do everything, from engineering to public relations," Ecclestone says. "He had been running the company the way he thought it should be run. For a long time, people were prepared to say, 'OK, fair enough, he's getting the job done.' "But as soon as you go off a little bit, people look and say, 'Hang on.' Christian won a lot of championships. He was used to winning. So, it's not easy when you're not winning – and when you know that it's not entirely your fault." For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Christian Horner Called Out For Being an 'Idiot' By Former F1 CEO After Red Bull Exit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Former Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone has slammed Christian Horner for being an "idiot" during his tenure with Red Bull Racing. The 94-year-old F1 supremo has hinted at the reason that likely paved the way to Horner's abrupt Red Bull exit on Wednesday. Horner led Red Bull Racing for twenty years, winning six constructors' titles and eight drivers' championships. However, Red Bull decided to part ways with him for reasons that are yet to be known. Ecclestone has allegedly linked Horner's exit to the controversy that erupted during the opening round of the 2024 season, when Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague. While Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation, details of the alleged messages he sent to the colleague were shared with all team principals and senior figures in F1 by an anonymous sender. Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Bernie Ecclestone, Chairman Emeritus of the Formula One Group, and Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko before the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil... Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Bernie Ecclestone, Chairman Emeritus of the Formula One Group, and Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko before the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 11, 2018 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. MoreEcclestone blamed Horner for acting like he was 20 in his 50s. He told The Telegraph: "This other business that he got involved with 18 months ago, he was just an idiot. He was a 50-year-old who thought he was 20, thought he was one of the boys. "I often wonder, when these situations happen, why if the girl is so upset with the advances of someone, they don't just say, 'Oi you, stop it.'" In what was most likely a reference to an alleged power struggle within Red Bull Racing last year, Ecclestone also highlighted the power held by Horner within the organization, and how that could have led many to allegedly turn against him when the team began to face problems with the car. He added: "It would probably have been better if they had said, 'Come in, Christian, sit down,' but the bottom line is that there are people there who thought he was getting away with things, that he was acting as if it was not the Red Bull Ring, but the Christian Horner Ring. "He got away with so many things. And all the time you're delivering, people close their eyes. But when you stop delivering, people start looking. One or two begin thinking, 'Well, I could do a better job.'" Horner's dispute with Max Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, last year made matters worse. Ecclestone explained that Horner likely found himself in a compromising position in the organization, eventually. He said: "Genuinely, it was a little bit of a muddle. Christian was the chief executive. If I'm the chief executive of a company, I want to be in charge. I want to do all the things that I think are right, and if I'm wrong, they can fire me, they can say, 'Sorry, bye-bye, you made a few mistakes.' So, the minute Christian can't be in that position to do what he thinks should be done, then for him it's not easy. You can't half-manage something. You need to have someone, I always say, to turn the lights on and off. You only really need one person." He added: "I know it was suggested to him he should be a team manager and leave the commercial side to somebody else. But his idea was, 'I am the chief executive.'" Ecclestone then described Horner's role at Red Bull for the last twenty years, acknowledging his efforts that made the team what it is today, but pointed out an alleged backlash when the car stopped winning races. He said: "For Christ's sake, who else has done what he has in Formula One? Just for results? You get very few executives who can do everything, from engineering to public relations. "He had been running the company the way he thought it should be run. For a long time, people were prepared to say, 'OK, fair enough, he's getting the job done.' But as soon as you go off a little bit, people look and say, 'Hang on.' Christian won a lot of championships. He was used to winning. So, it's not easy when you're not winning – and when you know that it's not entirely your fault."
News18
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
'Relentless Ambition, Passion, And Respect': Christian Horner Pens Heartfelt RBR Farewell Letter
Last Updated: After two decades at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. Former Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, who was given the sack on Wednesday, took to social media to pen a heartfelt letter to the fans and staff of the side. After two decades at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. 'After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved," Horner's post on social media platform, Instagram, began. 'Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all," he added. The British engineer also led the side to over a century of race wins, and pole positions, while managing to clinch a place on the podium a whooping 287 times. He also oversaw a ton of quickest laps produced by Red Bull. 'Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships," the statement continued. 'Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow," the 51-year-old said. Laurent Mekies, who served as the head of Racing Bulls, has been named as the CEO of Red Bull Racing following the dismissal of Horner. 'Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special," the update added. 'It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You- Christian," the post concluded. First Published: July 10, 2025, 09:05 IST
