Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has come out in strong defense of Christian Horner following the abrupt decision by Red Bull Racing to dismiss its long-time Team Principal with immediate effect. The 94-year-old British businessman, who led Formula 1 for decades and played a central role in shaping the sport into the global phenomenon it is today, expressed serious concern over the manner in which Red Bull handled Horner’s removal.
The Day After the Shock Announcement
As expected, the news of Christian Horner’s immediate dismissal from his role as Team Principal of Red Bull Racing—after two decades of continuous leadership—continues to reverberate throughout the Formula 1 world. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, the paddock was caught in a wave of shock and speculation. Now, as the dust begins to settle, opinions are becoming more polarized, with the global motorsport community dividing into those who support the move and those who oppose the way it was executed by the senior management at Red Bull’s headquarters in Salzburg, Austria.
Among the most vocal critics is none other than Bernie Ecclestone. A long-time ally and personal friend of Christian Horner, Ecclestone did not hesitate to express his disappointment in the handling of the situation. His reaction came during an interview with the website RacingNews365, where he openly questioned the rationale behind Red Bull’s decision to terminate Horner’s contract so abruptly.
Ecclestone Says He Was Surprised by the News
“I spoke with him the day before—on Monday—and he didn’t know anything,” Ecclestone recalled. “Maybe he did know and just didn’t tell me, but it was a completely normal conversation. We were talking about Max Verstappen. There was no indication that anything like this was coming. If there had been, he would’ve said something.”
According to reports from German media sources, the decision to relieve Christian Horner of his duties was actually made shortly after the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix. However, it appears Horner was only made aware of his dismissal on Tuesday evening—one day after his phone call with Ecclestone.
“All I know is what the rest of the world knows—that he was fired with immediate effect,” Ecclestone continued. “As a friend of Christian’s, I really didn’t like the way that happened. What I don’t understand is why he was asked to leave immediately. It’s as if he had done something criminal, like killed someone. If you want to fire someone, you talk first. You say something like: ‘We’ve agreed to part ways’ or ‘We’ve mutually decided to end our collaboration.’ But if you say: ‘You’re fired, effective immediately,’ then something extremely serious must have occurred.”
Was It About Performance? Or Something More?
The former Formula 1 boss emphasized the severity of the language used and the impact of such an abrupt exit. “Being unhappy with the performance—something I can understand—is one thing. But being terminated on the spot is something completely different,” Ecclestone concluded.
His comments highlight not only his personal loyalty to Horner, but also a broader concern within the motorsport industry about how one of its most influential and successful team leaders was dismissed. Christian Horner, who joined Red Bull in 2005 when the team first entered Formula 1, built a dynasty that delivered multiple World Championships and helped turn Red Bull Racing into one of the most dominant forces in the modern era of the sport.
Despite recent controversies, including an ongoing legal issue concerning allegations of inappropriate behavior, Horner maintained the support of key figures in the F1 world—until Red Bull’s sudden decision to remove him from the position.
For Bernie Ecclestone, this turn of events has raised more questions than answers. His intervention now adds weight to the side of those who believe that, regardless of performance or internal politics, a figure like Horner deserved a more respectful and transparent exit.
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