Christian Horner pinpoints WEAKNESS in Sergio Perez

Perez, Horner, Red Bull, Miami, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

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Horner pinpoints WEAKNESS in Perez

Christian Horner wants to see big improvements from Sergio Perez next year

Cal Gaunt

Wednesday 13 December 2023 21:57

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has stressed the need for Sergio Perez to enhance his Saturday performances in the upcoming 2024 season.

Horner stressed the importance of Perez avoiding the comeback drives that were frequently required during the previous season.

Despite a strong start with two pole positions and two victories in the initial five races, Perez faced challenges in maintaining his form throughout the campaign.

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A five-race stretch without a Q3 appearance from Monaco to Silverstone significantly impacted his points accumulation, allowing team-mate Max Verstappen a relatively smooth path to a third straight drivers' championship.

While Perez made something of a resurgence in the latter part of the season, his struggle over one lap persisted, reflected in an average qualifying position of 8.8 from the final seven grands prix, while Verstappen took pole on four occasions.

Christian Horner wants to see better qualifying performances from Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez found himself under huge pressure towards the end of the 2023 season

Horner: Perez has to sort it out

Horner, speaking to Sky Sports, acknowledged his satisfaction with Perez's race-day performances but highlighted the necessity for improvement in qualifying to avoid unnecessary hurdles.

“I think the last few races he’s had a bit of a reset,” Horner said. “His pace, when you look at the analysis through [the Abu Dhabi] weekend, again was very, very strong. He’s just got to sort his Saturdays out.

“His race pace is there, his race craft is fantastic, he’s probably overtaken more cars than anybody this year, but we just need him to be starting in the first four rather than ninth or 10th, whatever his average has been over the last few races.”

As the curtain fell on the season, Verstappen boasted a substantial 290-point lead over Perez, whose contract is set to conclude at the end of 2024.

With competitors striving to narrow the gap during the winter break, Horner recognises the imperative role both drivers must play in sustaining Red Bull's triumphant streak.