Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has harshly criticised Christian Horner over his behavior during the scandal that ultimately contributed to the end of his long-standing tenure at Red Bull Racing.
In the same week that Christian Horner’s two-decade journey at Red Bull came to a sudden and dramatic end with immediate dismissal, the Formula 1 paddock erupted with reactions. Among those who commented was none other than Bernie Ecclestone, the former supremo of Formula 1, who initially had defended Horner—at least partially—for his leadership and achievements within the Anglo-Austrian team.
Bernie Ecclestone’s sharp criticism
However, despite his earlier stance, 94-year-old Bernie Ecclestone did not shy away from delivering a scathing critique aimed directly at Christian Horner. This time, his comments were focused on the “sexgate” scandal that engulfed the British team principal at the beginning of the 2024 Formula 1 season. At the center of the controversy were allegations made by a Red Bull Racing employee who accused Horner of sexual harassment, allegedly via inappropriate messages exchanged on WhatsApp.
Although Christian Horner was officially cleared on two separate occasions, the matter left a lasting mark on the team’s image, creating significant embarrassment. The situation worsened as several high-profile figures—who had been instrumental in Red Bull’s six Constructors’ Championship titles under Horner’s leadership—chose to walk away from the team. Speaking to The Telegraph, Ecclestone offered a blunt assessment: “In that other situation 18 months ago, he was simply an idiot,” Ecclestone said. “He was a 50-year-old man acting like he was 20.”
Bernie Ecclestone also questioned the dynamics of the incident, remarking, “I often wonder, when things like this happen, why the woman didn’t just tell him to stop if she was that upset.”
Too much power and unchecked control
Bernie Ecclestone didn’t stop at the scandal itself. He went on to criticize the amount of power Christian Horner had accumulated within the Red Bull organization. According to Ecclestone, Horner’s overwhelming control over various facets of the team’s operations ultimately led to internal conflicts and discontent—an atmosphere that culminated in his dismissal.
“It probably would have been better if Red Bull had said: ‘Come in, Christian, sit down,’” Ecclestone continued. “But the core of the problem is that some people began to believe he could get away with anything—as if it wasn’t the Red Bull Ring, but the Christian Horner Ring.”
“He’s gotten away with a lot over the years, and as long as the team was winning, people turned a blind eye. But when results start to slip, others begin to think: ‘Well, maybe I could do a better job.’”
Ecclestone emphasized that Horner had essentially taken on the role of CEO within Red Bull Racing. “When you’re the CEO of a company, you want to be the one in control. You want to run things your way, and if you make mistakes, people have every right to say: ‘Sorry, goodbye, you’ve made too many errors.’ You can’t manage things halfway.”
The Mateschitz factor: A missing guiding hand
In Ecclestone’s view, much of the internal tension within Red Bull could have been avoided if the company’s founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, were still alive. Mateschitz passed away in 2022, and Ecclestone believes his leadership would have prevented the current chaos.
“When the real boss was alive,” he said, “he would’ve sensed something was wrong inside the team. He would’ve stepped in, taken charge, and fixed it before things got out of hand.”
A legacy of winning, clouded by controversy
Despite his harsh tone, Bernie Ecclestone concluded his remarks by acknowledging Christian Horner’s incredible accomplishments during his two decades at the helm of Red Bull Racing.
“For heaven’s sake, who else has done what he’s done in Formula 1?” Ecclestone stated. “There are very few team bosses capable of handling everything—from technical operations to public relations. He ran the organization the way he believed it should be run. Christian Horner won many championships and got used to winning. And that makes it very difficult to deal with when the wins stop—especially when you know it’s not entirely your fault.”
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