Former F1 proprietor Ecclestone reveals what he thinks was Horner’s downfall

Bernie Ecclestone counts Christian Horner as one in all his closest confidantes within the System 1 paddock, however the billionaire didn't mince his phrases when requested about his pal's firing from Purple Bull.

Horner was the championship's energetic longest-tenured staff principal when he was unceremoniously sacked earlier this week after 20 years within the function. It adopted a high-profile sexting scandal that engulfed Horner 18 months prior and set in movement a string of key departures from the staff. 

“This enterprise that he received concerned with 18 months in the past, he was simply an fool,” Ecclestone instructed The Telegraph whereas discussing the scandal on Thursday. “He was a 50-year-old who thought he was 20, thought he was one of many boys.”

Horner was twice cleared of claims of sexual harassment and coercive behaviour, although a highly-publicised cache of WhatsApp screenshots allegedly that includes messages between him and a feminine worker induced a worldwide media storm and severe embarrassment.

Ecclestone, who has made a number of disparaging feedback about ladies by way of the years, had little sympathy for the lady who accused Horner of inappropriate habits. “I usually surprise, when these conditions occur, why if the woman is so upset with the advances of somebody, they don't simply say, ‘Oi you, cease it,'” he stated.

The 94-year-old went on to element how the Purple Bull massive wigs on the power drink firm's Austrian headquarters felt that an excessive amount of energy was concentrated in Milton Keynes with Horner. “It might in all probability have been higher if they'd stated, ‘Are available in, Christian, sit down,'” he stated.

“However the backside line is that there are folks there who thought he was getting away with issues, that he was performing as if it was not the Purple Bull Ring, however the Christian Horner Ring. He received away with so many issues. And on a regular basis you're delivering, folks shut their eyes. However whenever you cease delivering, folks begin trying. One or two start considering, ‘Nicely, I may do a greater job.'”

Ecclestone additionally famous the ability wrestle that passed off inside the firm within the wake of Purple Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz's loss of life in 2022. “Genuinely, it was a bit of little bit of a muddle,” Ecclestone stated. “Christian was the chief government. If I'm the chief government of an organization, I need to be in cost. I need to do all of the issues that I feel are proper, and if I'm incorrect, they'll hearth me, they'll say, ‘Sorry, bye-bye, you made just a few errors.'

“So, the minute Christian can't be in that place to do what he thinks needs to be executed, then for him it's not simple. You possibly can't half-manage one thing. It's essential to have somebody, I all the time say, to show the lights on and off. You solely actually need one individual.”

Ecclestone theorised that Horner's insistence on enjoying a key function in all areas of the enterprise led to his downfall: “I do know it was urged to him he needs to be a staff supervisor and go away the industrial facet to any individual else.

“His thought was, ‘I'm the chief government.' [But] you get only a few executives who can do the whole lot, from engineering to public relations. He had been working the corporate the way in which he thought it needs to be run. For a very long time, folks had been ready to say, ‘OK, honest sufficient, he's getting the job executed.' However as quickly as you go off a bit of bit, folks look and say, ‘Dangle on.'

“Christian gained numerous championships. He was used to successful. So, it's not simple whenever you're not successful – and when you understand that it's not fully your fault.”