Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has tipped Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to become the CEO of the sport in the future, with Horner being “as good” as anyone.
The former F1 Supremo left his role back in 2016, after Liberty Media purchased the commercial rights to the pinnacle of motorsport.
He continues to give advice, though, to the biggest names in the sport, including, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Ecclestone revealed that he has phone calls with the FIA president, where they discuss “different issues”.
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“I speak to the president, Mohammed [Ben Sulayem]. He gives me a call about different issues,” Ecclestone told the Independent.
When Ecclestone departed his role, he was replaced immediately by Chase Carey, who later hired former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali to occupy the position.
Domenicali was team principal of the Maranello-based team from 2008-2014, with him having led the team to their most recent title.
It appears, though, that Ecclestone isn’t the biggest fan of the Italian, with him believing that the former Ferrari boss isn’t the correct person to lead F1.
“Stefano has never been any closer to things beyond the fact that he once worked for Ferrari,” he said.
“Apart from that, he didn’t know what happened behind the scenes. I never had somebody beside me. I wasn’t a teacher. I didn’t ever intend to be.”
If Ecclestone had it his way, then Horner would be in charge of the sport, with him being somebody who “sorts out what’s rubbish from what isn’t”.
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Horner has been amongst the sport’s politics since 2005, with him having been team principal of Red Bull from the very beginning, meaning he’s certainly seen and dealt with it all.
“If you had to pick anyone today, I’d say he would be as good as there is. He listens well. He sorts out what’s rubbish from what isn’t,” Ecclestone said.
Whether Horner would be interested in the role or even offered it remains to be seen; however, the likelihood is that he won’t be departing Red Bull anytime soon, given how successful they currently are under his leadership.