Red Bull team principal and CEO, Christian Horner questioned Sergio Perez’s place in the team after his disastrous 2023 season campaign. After getting outperformed by teammate Max Verstappen, Checo barely finished second on the drivers championship, with the gap to Lewis Hamilton reduced to a few points.
That being said, with Checo’s contract scheduled to expire by the end of the season, the Mexican driver jetted off a resurgent run and finished on the podium alongside his Red Bull teammate in China. Following another podium finish, team principal Christian Horner defended his driver against the evil media perception.
Christian Horner Shows Faith In Sergio Perez Amid Resurgence!
Chinese Grand Prix returned after five years of layoff and produced an entertaining race. Red Bull, as usual, continued to dominate as both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez attained double podium finishes. While Max won the race, Checo fell short at P3 after getting beaten by Lando Norris. Regardless, Checo’s performance and recent surge left team principal Christian Horner impressed. Horner, who batted for Checo’s ouster until last season, is now outrightly defending his driver. In the post-race interview, the Brit instead blamed the media for creating a false perception of Perez and writing him off without any substantial reasoning. He added that the Mexican drivers have been performing per set standards this year and adopted a whole different mindset. “Checo is relaxed, drives well, and does not focus on his teammate,” said Horner.
Indeed, Sergio Perez had a better run this year compared to last season. However, that does not guarantee him an extension contract, especially with the options available in the market. For instance, Carlos Sainz was most recently in contact with Red Bull and was even offered a deal, as per senior advisor Helmut Marko. As for Perez, he is seeking a minimum two-year extension deal as he feels that’s the most logical way out given the 2026 engine regulations overhaul. Marko is also highly critical of Checo. Hence, it seems unlikely that Perez will be able to bag an extension contract at this stage. Regardless, the Mexican driver expects a decision on his future in the coming month or so and has apparently braced himself for any outcome whatsoever.
Horner Says Max Verstappen’s Dominance Won’t Last Forever!
In a bold yet honest take, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner took a stand for his champion driver, Max Verstappen, against critics bad-mouthing his dominance. Horner opined that in F1, no dominant era lasts forever. And Max is a special driver who needs to be appreciated and celebrated for his achievements and record victories.
Christian Horner further added that living in the present and savoring the moments is important. And with no guarantee of a dominant car in the future, Red Bull wants to soak in the present success and kind of enjoy the fun ride till it lasts. “It’s doing what you can, you know, while you can,” Horner told media at Chinese GP.
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