Perez will keep his place at Red Bull in 2024 assures Christian Horner

Sergio Perez is indeed going to continue with Red Bull next season. After several moments of doubt, fueled by Perez’s tricky weekends and a climb up the drivers’ ranking, Christian Horner has clarified the situation. His contract will not be questioned, even if the Mexican doesn’t finish second in the championship. « There is no such clause stating that Checo has to finish second, otherwise he won’t be driving the car next year. This has never been discussed », affirmed the Red Bull Racing director to AutoSport.

« We have never finished first and second in a championship. We have finished first and third several times with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, and even last year with Max and Checo. So, with this car, it would be fantastic, with the season we have had, if we could take the first two places. »

A slump that was fueling rumors

Since his victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sergio Perez hasn’t won a single race. Despite the domination of the RB19 over its competitors, the former Racing Point driver (now Aston Martin) faces the colossal performances of his teammate. Max Verstappen has won 15 Grand Prix this season (out of 18 possible currently), when Perez has only won two. Moreover, the number 11 is not unbeatable in qualifications. Checo Perez has even dropped out several times in the Q2. Additionally, for several Grand Prix, his race pace has also fallen below what he was able to do at the start of the season. Performances that stirred rumours about the Mexican’s future.

However, Christian Horner still believes in his driver and wants to help him find a second wind. « We know Checo. If you look at his performances in the first part of the season: Bahrain, it was very, very close with Max », recalls the British director. « In Saudi Arabia, it was a great race between the two of them. They were pushing hard, with small spaces. In Azerbaijan, he won the sprint and the Grand Prix. These are the kind of performances we know he is capable of. I think it’s just about getting him back in that mindset and getting the most out of him to bring him back to those performance levels. »

2025 remains blurry

While Christian Horner has confirmed that Perez will keep his seat for 2024, the Austrian team remains open for 2025. Between the reserve of young Red Bull pilots, the return of Daniel Ricciardo to AlphaTauri, Red Bull will have a wide range of choices. Also, depending on Perez’s 2024 season, nothing excludes a renewal. « We certainly are not short of options. Of course, we have all the time to review and assess this, but many factors are involved », Horner delayed.

As for this driver’s ability to compete with Max Verstappen, the Red Bull director affirmed that it would not be a problem. « To beat Max, you have to jostle him in one way or another », he added.

Put out the rumors

Mexican businessmen claimed last week on Twitter that one of Sergio Perez’s main sponsors was going to end the contract with the team and that Perez was going to announce his retirement at the Mexico Grand Prix. Many journalists therefore asked questions about Perez’s future as the Mexican still can’t compete with Max Verstappen. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner tried to silence these rumors in recent weeks.