Bernie Ecclestone Gives Brutal Verdict On “IDIOT” Christian Horner’s Inappropriate Behavior Saga Amid Red Bull Axe

Ex-F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone hit out at Christian Horner's infamous inappropriate behavior saga that took the spotlight last year.

Bernie Ecclestone Gives Brutal Verdict On “IDIOT” Christian Horner’s Inappropriate Behavior Saga Amid Red Bull Axe

Christian Horner (via Red Bull), Bernie Ecclestone (via DPPI)

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Christian Horner was sacked from Red Bull Racing this week. The 51-year-old will no longer be leading the Austrian team after two decades of success. While the timing of Horner’s exit came as a shock to many in the paddock, the writing had been on the wall for some time. Now, former F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has recalled the Englishman’s inappropriate behavior saga.

In early 2024, the Red Bull team boss was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female employee. Christian Horner vehemently denied all allegations. Ultimately, he was cleared of all wrongdoing after an independent investigation. But the damage was done, the team was divided. Max Verstappen‘s father Jos Verstappen even claimed that Horner would tear apart Milton Keynes.

Though, Red Bull did not decide to sack the 51-year-old over this case, as he was not found guilty, his image in F1 was tarnished. Bernie Ecclestone claimed that Christian Horner was nothing but an idiot over the entire ordeal. The 94-year-old joked that the 51-year-old thought he was just another 20-year-old man within the team. Ecclestone even used the iconic phrase, ‘one of the boys’ to label Horner.

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.

Bernie Ecclestone told The Telegraph

Bernie Ecclestone slams Christian Horner’s hold of power at Red Bull

Horner lead Red Bull for over 20 years. During this period, the Englishman established Milton Keynes as one of the most dominant forces in the sport’s history, exceeding all expectations. The 51-year-old even expanded the team’s campus and signed off the creation of Red Bull Powertrains for the 2026 regulations.

Christian Horner
Christian Horner (via Reuters)

However, while Christian Horner brought results on-track, things were on the decline within the team. Bernie Ecclestone reckoned that the 51-year-old had gained immense power and influence over every aspect, even allowing him to ‘get away’ with things. The former F1 Supremo joked that the Red Bull Ring had become the Christian Horner Ring in recent years.

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.

Bernie Ecclestone added

Moreover, things exceeded to such an extent that many doubted Horner’s leadership. Bernie Ecclestone revealed that the Englishman was asked to shift focus completely on team management, leaving the commercial side to someone else. However, Ecclestone claimed that Christian Horner remained adamant that he had power over everything.

 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.’

Bernie Ecclestone added

Certainly, Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull will remain a hot topic for the time to come. The 51-year-old was the longest-serving team principal on the grid. Horner’s exit kickstarts a new era for Milton Keynes with Laurent Mekies at the helm. Though, the new Red Bull team boss faces a major challenge to bring his team back to the front in the coming months.

Read More: Ex-F1 Driver Declares Helmut Marko Reaching ‘Expiration Date’ at Red Bull After Christian Horner’s Exit