'It was a marriage that ended in divorce' - Red Bull handed BRUTAL reality check following Chris Horner's sacking

David Ben 19:19 - 15 August 2025

Ex-Formula 1 boss hands Red Bull BRUTAL reality check following Chris Horner's sacking

Red Bull have been told they have no 'plan B' amid their struggles following Chris Horner's sacking.

Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has weighed in on Christian Horner's recent departure from Red Bull, pinpointing the main reason behind the team's split with the Briton.

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Horner was released from his Formula 1 duties shortly after the British Grand Prix in July and is now officially no longer associated with Red Bull.

"It was like a marriage that ended in divorce," the 94-year-old Ecclestone told F1 Destinations.

Bernie Ecclestone has weighed in on Christian Horner's recent departure from Red Bull | Photo Credit: IMAGO

"After Didi Mateschitz's death, there were people at Red Bull whose ideas about leadership and team development didn't align with Christian's or simply didn't include him."

Former Red Bull Team Principal Chris Horner | IMAGO

"Christian did a very good job, but like Max Verstappen, he never had a strong number two driver close behind. It's very difficult to criticize someone when they're winning races and championships, but there really wasn't a Plan B if something went wrong with Horner or Max."

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"It's good to have two drivers on a similar level, like McLaren does now"

Verstappen and Chris Horner | Credit: X

Red Bull's performance in recent years has hinged entirely on Max Verstappen, and the team let go of Max's most successful number two driver, Sergio Perez, who had a very poor second half of the 2024 season.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were formidable teammates at Red Bull Racing| Credit: IMAGO

Ecclestone recalled facing a similar issue during his time as Brabham owner in Formula 1.

Nelson Piquet won the world championships with the team in 1981 and 1983, but none of his teammates could match the Brazilian's level, and Brabham missed out on the constructors' title.

"That's the problem when a team principal falls in love with one of their drivers – figuratively speaking," Ecclestone explained.

"It can create difficulties. It's good to have two drivers on a similar level, like McLaren does now."

(L) Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren have been dominant in the 2025 Formula 1 season | Credit: X(@F1)

"The important thing is to provide equal cars for your drivers," Ecclestone added.

"When I brought Riccardo Patrese to Brabham, I told him we had three cars – one for each driver and a spare. He could choose which car he wanted to race. That way, there would be no complaints later."

Red Bull's Underwhelming Season So Far

Max Verstappen was eliminated from the 2025 Austrian GP | Getty

Red Bull Racing's 2025 campaign has been a stark departure from their recent dominance.

While they started the season strongly with Max Verstappen claiming two victories and sitting third in the drivers' championship, the team has struggled with consistency and a lack of pace at times.

The Constructors' standings reflect this, with the team currently in fourth place.

Verstappen has faced challenges with the car's performance, and the team's struggles have highlighted the close competition from rivals like McLaren and Ferrari.

As they head to Zandvoort later this month, Red Bull will be hoping to turn their season around and find the form that has made them a championship-winning team.