Bernie Ecclestone has branded Christian Horner an 'idiot' after Red Bull decided to axe the Briton earlier this week.
On Wednesday, the team stunned the F1 world by sacking Horner after 20 years of success and service.
It is currently unclear why the 51-year-old was relieved of his duties but the development came 17 months after the team principal was accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a female member of staff.
Horner always denied any wrongdoing. He was always adamant that he'd be able to clear his name and Red Bull twice cleared him internally following investigations behind the scenes.
Bernie Ecclestone has branded Christian Horner an 'idiot' after Red Bull decided to axe the Briton earlier this week
PA
Ecclestone, however, has nonetheless criticised Horner by saying he was an 'idiot'.
“This other business that he got involved with 18 months ago, he was just an idiot," he told the Daily Telegraph.
There remains nothing to suggest that Horner did anything wrong.
He was supported by wife Geri Halliwell during the ordeal and continued to work in his position until his dismissal on Wednesday.
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Red Bull achieved great success during the Briton's time at the helm.
They won eight drivers' championships, with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen winning four each. They also secured six constructors' titles, too.
However, in recent times, Red Bull have struggled to compete with McLaren.
Ecclestone believes Horner has paid the price for having too much power at Red Bull. He continued: “Christian was the chief executive. If I’m the chief executive of a company, I want to be in charge.
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Christian Horner was supported by wife Geri Halliwell when he was accused of inappropriate behaviour last year. There remains no evidence of any wrongdoing
GETTY"I want to do all the things that I think are right, and if I’m wrong, they can fire me, they can say, ‘Sorry, bye-bye, you made a few mistakes.’
"So, the minute Christian can’t be in that position to do what he thinks should be done, then for him it’s not easy.
"You can’t half-manage something. You need to have someone, I always say, to turn the lights on and off. You only really need one person.
“I know it was suggested to him he should be a team manager and leave the commercial side to somebody else. But his idea was, ‘I am the chief executive.’”
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Meanwhile, it's currently unclear what the future holds for Horner.
There has been talk of a sensational move to Ferrari, who targeted the experienced F1 maestro before appointing Fred Vasseur as their team principal in 2023.
However, reports have indicated that Horner is poised to focus on spending more time with wife Geri and the rest of their family.
After leaving Red Bull, the 51-year-old addressed staff as the team's factory in Milton Keynes. He said: "Yesterday, I was informed by Red Bull that operationally I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward.
Christian Horner was brutally axed by Red Bull on Wednesday morning Reuters"I will still remain employed by the company, but, operationally the baton will be handed over.
"It came as a shock to myself. I've had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news and to express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years.
"When I arrived 20 years ago, there were a few less grey hairs. I walked into a team and did not know what to expect but I was immediately welcomed and we started to build what became a powerhouse in F1.
"Watching and being part of this team, has been the biggest privilege of my life."