Horner backs Perez to achieve astonishing Red Bull first
Horner backs Perez to achieve astonishing Red Bull first
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has backed Sergio Perez to finish in second in the drivers' championship, which would give Red Bull their first ever one-two in the standings.
The Mexican has struggled to keep up with his supreme team-mate Max Verstappen throughout the season, and has only managed two race victories in a car that has been one of the most dominant the sport has ever seen.
Verstappen, on the other hand, has won 13 races and is cruising towards his third consecutive world championship title.
Perez sits 177 points behind the Dutchman but is, so far, managing to stave off the challenge of Lewis Hamilton in third.
His contract is up for renewal at the end of next season and, if he has any chance of extending that further into the future, he needs to prove that he can beat everybody other than Verstappen regularly.
Horner agrees that this is important, not least because it would be the first time in Red Bull's history that they have had their drivers first and second in the drivers' standings.
"He's got at least a one race weekend sort of [points] 'buffer' to Lewis and greater than that to Fernando [Alonso] behind him," Horner told Sky Sports.
"It's something that we've never achieved; we've never finished first and second with any of our drivers in the world championship so it would be a big thing for us to achieve.
"He came close last year, it would be his best-ever result, and he's got the best car that he's ever had to be able to try and achieve that result."
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Verstappen setup quirk which allows Red Bull to make car even fasters
'Enough races left'
With the pressure of the world championship off (as Verstappen is likely to clinch it at Qatar next time out) Perez will now be hoping he can add to his six career race wins.
His race in Japan was certainly one to forget, as he collided with both Hamilton and Kevin Magnussen, copped a five second penalty and ended up retiring his car from the race twice in a bizarre turn of events.
"Japan was frustrating and difficult for him, but he'll bounce back," Horner continued.
"I'm sure there's enough races with the six grands prix remaining for him still to achieve some great results between now and the end of the season."
READ MORE: Christian Horner: The Red Bull giant and ‘Drive to Survive’ star
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Schumacher names shock F1 star to replace Hulkenberg at Haas
- 55 minutes ago
Hamilton in Arsenal title wish after STUNNING revelation
- 1 hour ago
F1 boss 'in early talks' to SELL 25 percent of team
- 2 hours ago
Will F1 hopeful Antonelli replace Sargeant from Imola?
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton dealt major Newey blow as Red Bull chief makes BRUTAL admission
- Today 12:04
Schumacher reveals how Mercedes could snare Verstappen
- Today 11:42
Related news
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
Newey exit DATE revealed as Red Bull F1 chief set to leave
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860