Red Bull boss Christian Horner stands firm behind struggling Sergio Perez
- Rob Fleming
- 18 July 2023
Red Bull boss Christian Horner confirms that Sergio Perez continues to receive full support from the Formula 1 team, despite ongoing challenges in qualifying.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has affirmed unwavering support for Sergio Perez amidst his ongoing struggles in Formula 1 qualifying sessions.
Since securing pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, the Mexican driver has been unable to reach Q3, with a series of unfortunate events, incidents, and setup complications hampering his performance on Saturdays.
Perez's difficulties during qualifying have translated into formidable challenges during the Grands Prix, causing him to fall 99 points behind his teammate Max Verstappen in the Drivers' standings.
Initially expected to pose a significant threat to Verstappen in the battle for the championship title, Perez's recent setbacks have proven discouraging.
Horner, addressing the media, stated, "He just needs to break through, and he will do it in Budapest."
Referring to Perez's exceptional driving skills, Horner added, "The way he races, some of his moves [at Silverstone], particularly the one on Carlos Sainz, were quite stunning."
"In the last stint, his pace was right there. It is frustrating for him that he constantly finds himself having to fight back, but he needs to address his qualifying performance on Saturdays."
"As a team, we will provide him with our utmost support."
The return of Daniel Ricciardo, replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, will intensify the pressure on Perez. Ricciardo, eager to return to a race-winning team, will be determined to make his mark.
When questioned about concerns regarding Perez's form, Horner explained, "It's just one of those things, as in all sports, where 90 percent is in the mind."
"He needs a solid performance to regain his momentum. At the moment, he still holds the second position in the championship."
"We possess a formidable car, but it is imperative that both cars remain competitive."
Mark your calendars for Sunday, 23 July, as the Hungarian Grand Prix awaits at the Hungaroring.
Eye to eye with @SChecoPerez š #RedBullShowrun šŖšø pic.twitter.com/cKVnKoErSf
ā Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 15, 2023
