Ex-F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone Exposes Max Verstappen’s Christian Horner-like Problem for Red Bull

Bernie Ecclestone made it clear that Red Bull's overreliance on Max Verstappen is similar to what the team had with Christian Horner.

Ex-F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone Exposes Max Verstappen’s Christian Horner-like Problem for Red Bull

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner (via Red Bull), Bernie Ecclestone (via IMAGO)

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Red Bull Racing is going through a period of upheaval. Milton Keynes sacked its team principal, Christian Horner after the British GP as the Austrian team struggles to perform this year. Now, former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has asserted that the energy drinks giant has a similar problem with Max Verstappen.

Christian Horner led Red Bull Racing in F1 ever since the team’s first season all the way back in 2005. In the past two decades, the Briton shaped Milton Keynes as a formidable force in the sport, and won multiple world titles. However, after some major controversies in the last year, it seemed that Verstappen’s camp wanted Horner gone. This left Red Bull with no real successor to its team principal. The energy drinks giant had to bring in Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls instead.

Bernie Ecclestone pointed out that the entire Christian Horner situation seemed to be a divorce to a failed marriage. He noted that Horner had indeed done a great job for Red Bull, similar to the impact Max Verstappen is now having on Milton Keynes. Ecclestone asserted that just like Verstappen, there was no clear successor for the 51-year-old. The 94-year-old warned Red Bull that a similar problem could happen with Max Verstappen in the future as the energy drinks giant does not have any backup plans for the Dutchman either.

It was a bit like a marriage that ended in a divorce. He did a very good job, but he was viewed, just like Max Verstappen, as someone that did not have a proper number two. It is hard to criticize someone who is winning races and championships, but there was no plan B in case something went wrong with either Christian or Max.

Bernie Ecclestone told F1destinations

Bernie Ecclestone wants Red Bull to learn from McLaren

McLaren has been the opposite of Red Bull when it comes to driver management. While Milton Keynes has no driver who can even come close to Max Verstappen, its British rival has two fierce contenders, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Both drivers are matching one another every weekend, giving fans an exciting spectacle and also ensuring that the Woking-based team does not rely heavily on a single individual.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull content pool)
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (image via Red Bull content pool)

Bernie Ecclestone pointed out that Red Bull’s overdependence on Verstappen could cause problems in the near future. The Austrian team was already in panic mode when rumors emerged that Max Verstappen could join Mercedes for next season. On the other hand, Ecclestone asserted that it’s far better when a team has two good drivers like McLaren. Though the caveat in such a case is that a team must provide equal machinery to both drivers.

This can cause problems. It is good to have two more or less equal drivers like McLaren has today. It works if you can deliver the exact same machinery for both drivers.

Bernie Ecclestone added

Certainly, Red Bull is only relying more and more on Max Verstappen. Milton Keynes is desperate to find a driver who can at least be close to the Dutchman in terms of pure pace. The Austrian team is yet to announce who will partner Verstappen in 2026. Red Bull is probably going to take its time before deciding on perhaps the most important factor for the upcoming season.

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