After a disappointing home race, Sergio Perez was determined to bounce back at the Sao Paulo race. The Mexican race had a decent start to the race, scoring a point during the Sprint. However, he was unable to carry the momentum to Sunday race, finishing at P11. This has been the story of Checo’s 2024 season, as he is the only winless racer in the top eight.
Moreover, his string of shoddy performances has made it difficult for the Red Bull team. As Ferrari took over, the RBR slipped to the third in the Constructors Cup. Max Verstappen has been the sole fighter for them, crapping every single point. Amid mounting criticism, Christian Horner has shown subtle support for Sergio Perez.
“Nothing Evident,” Christian Horner Backs Sergio Perez After Dismal Brazilian GP
With Max Verstappen back in form, leading Red Bull to victory, team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that Sergio Perez’s failure to score points was a significant setback for the team’s chances in the Constructors’ Championship. Horner noted that Perez’s early spin in the race set him back, impacting his performance.
He emphasized that the race presented an opportunity for Red Bull to gain valuable points against rivals Ferrari and McLaren, making the missed opportunity particularly frustrating. Horner expressed hope that the team could regroup and come back stronger in the next race in Las Vegas.
While Verstappen excelled, quickly gaining six positions on the opening lap and passing several competitors, Horner did not provide a specific explanation for Perez’s inability to match Verstappen’s pace. He mentioned that he had not participated in the debrief and had not heard Perez’s insights, but there was nothing apparent during the race that could explain the performance gap.
Christian Horner Remains Coy On Checo’s Potential Replacement
Sergio Perez’s disappointing performance has left him with a mere 20 points in the seven races since the summer break, fewer points than Max Verstappen earned in the Brazilian Grand Prix alone. This struggle has placed Red Bull in third position in the championship standings, trailing both McLaren and Ferrari. In light of Perez’s recent difficulties, team principal Christian Horner noted that “difficult decisions” regarding Perez’s future with the team are on the horizon.
When asked if the possibility of a driver swap was becoming more likely, Horner emphasized the need to assess the situation objectively. He acknowledged that the team is putting significant effort into supporting Perez, who underwent a chassis change for the recent race. Horner mentioned that while Perez showed potential in his previous race, the latest outing was not favorable.
Additionally, Horner refrained from addressing the ongoing speculation about Red Bull’s potential interest in signing rookie Franco Colapinto from Williams. He affirmed that Perez remains the team’s current driver and highlighted the impressive performances of other drivers, such as Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. While acknowledging Colapinto’s talent, Horner reiterated the importance of keeping an eye on driver market developments without committing to any specific moves.