Horner wants to see Perez score points to fight against Ferrari and McLaren
Christian Horner admits that Red Bull needs Sergio Perez to regain its best form as the threat posed by Ferrari and McLaren is becoming increasingly significant.
Red Bull needs both cars to score points because we cannot ignore the threat from Ferrari and McLaren, Christian Horner says about Sergio Perez. Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ championship over Ferrari has fallen to 24 points with eight rounds of the 2024 campaign completed.
« This weekend was quite tough for him »,” said Horner, Red Bull team principal, about the Mexican’s weekend in Monaco, which was very difficult throughout, especially after his poor qualifying and collision with Kevin Magnussen at the start.
« Obviously, we have to make sure that both of our cars score points because we cannot discount the threat from Ferrari and McLaren in both championships. In the first six races, Checo has been very strong. He qualified on the front row, finished second and third, and scored very well.
We just have to put him back in that position of trust and not see a decline, explains Horner on Sky Sports. Perez’s contract with Red Bull still has to be renewed at the end of this year and, even though the 34-year-old driver is still considered the number 1 option, he must continue to perform to convince his leaders.
When asked if Perez’s recent results had changed anything in the decision on a new contract, Christian Horner replied: « Not really. I think it’s more… we will make a decision when the time comes. » Perez’s future at Red Bull is still quite uncertain even though a decision should be made in the coming weeks.
The last three races in Miami (Norris, McLaren), Imola (Verstappen, Red Bull), and Monaco (Leclerc, Ferrari) were won by three different teams, it is the first time such a sequence has occurred in F1 since September 2021.
The next race weekend, in Montreal (June 7-9), could shake things up and we could witness some great battles.
