Bernie Ecclestone Criticizes Sacked Red Bull Boss Christian Horner

Christian Horner was sacked as Red Bull Racing team principal after 20 years amid declining team performance and internal power struggles. His dismissal follows a controversy from 18 months earlier involving accusations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior by a female employee; Horner was twice cleared of wrongdoing but the scandal impacted his reputation and team dynamics. Bernie Ecclestone, longtime Formula 1 figure and close friend of Horner, criticized him harshly, calling him "an idiot" who acted like "a 50-year-old who thought he was 20" and accused him of behaving as if the team was the "Christian Horner Ring." Ecclestone suggested that Horner's leadership style and the perception that he was "getting away with things" contributed to his downfall, especially as Red Bull's results worsened. The power struggle reportedly involved key staff and figures such as Max Verstappen’s father Jos, who was openly critical of Horner and warned of ongoing tension while he remained in charge. Ecclestone also remarked that effective leadership requires clear authority, implying that Horner’s partial control created confusion within the team.