Red Bull F1: Christian Horner reveals X-rated warning from former F1 chief

Ecclestone, Horner, social — Photo: © IMAGO

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Christian Horner reveals X-rated warning from former F1 chief

Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner has made an X-rated admission

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Saturday 12 April 2025 03:00

Christian Horner has shared the X-rated warning and advice he was given by former Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone founded the Formula One group in 1987, and controlled the commercial rights of the sport up until 2017, a figure largely credited with enhancing F1's success.

Speaking in a light-hearted video for F1’s official YouTube channel, Horner and his nine fellow team chiefs gathered to face a series of questions to allow fans to ‘Meet the team bosses’ as they get stuck into their 2025 championship campaigns.

Article continues under video

To end the Q&A, the top dogs of the paddock were asked: “What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?”

Whilst many principals opted for cliched mantras such as ‘treat others how you would like to be treated yourself’ (the personal choice of new Sauber boss Jonathan Wheatley), Horner instead opted to reflect on a past conversation with ex-F1 chief Ecclestone for his answer.

Horner teases FIA punishment over Ecclestone advice

"There were four drivers vying to win the drivers' world championship, two of which were our drivers, and he came up to me on the grid and he basically called me over and he whispered in my ear, 'don't f**k it up'!"

Reflecting on the sweary advice from Ecclestone, Horner added: "Now I'll probably get a penalty or some fine for that, but that was what Bernie said to me so technically he should have the fine because he said it to me on the grid."

The drivers in question for championship contention heading into the nail-biting title decider were Red Bull stars Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, leader at the time Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, who could still technically claim the victory for his team at the time, McLaren.

Vettel and Red Bull went on to clinch the victory, kickstarting the first era of domination for Horner's outfit, with the German racing icon going on the steal a further three consecutive driver's titles in the pinnacle of motorsport.

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Red Bull Formula 1 Christian Horner Abu Dhabi Bernie Ecclestone