Horner demands Verstappen Perez unity in Red Bull fight with Ferrari

Red Bull

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Horner demands Verstappen Perez unity in Red Bull fight with Ferrari

The two drivers are separated by 15 points

Ewan Gale

Thursday 2 June 2022 18:10

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has called for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to set aside F1 drivers' title ambitions and to work together in order to battle with Ferrari.

Perez has closed to within 15 points of Verstappen following his victory in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, after which the team confirmed he had signed a new two-year deal.

While the two are now poised to become championship rivals, with Perez delivering the performances for which he was initially signed, Horner's focus is naturally on ensuring they join forces against Ferrari.

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"Checo is in the form of his career, he is doing a great job, and it is not a one-off," said Horner.

"We saw his pole position in Jeddah and he is really hitting a rich vein of form. That is fantastic for us.

"But we need both drivers working the way they are together because Ferrari had the quicker car [in Monaco], certainly in qualifying. Whether it was in the race is unknown.

"They are a massive opponent and we have to work collectively to make sure we get both drivers ahead of them."

Perez had no point to prove after Spanish team order uncertainty

Perez entered the Monaco weekend off the back of a Spanish Grand Prix that saw him label team tactics as "unfair" when being denied the opportunity to advance past Verstappen, despite a promise being made on the contrary.

Asked if his driver had a point to prove after that situation, Horner replied: "He has always enjoyed Monaco though.

"I remember when he drove for me [Arden International] in Formula 2 here. He has always been very strong around this circuit and the next one in Azerbaijan.

"We discussed things immediately following the race in Barcelona and there was absolutely zero issue.

"He understood clearly what the picture was and I think he is in a great space at the moment.

"His confidence is high, he is driving very well and the time difference between him and Max is much much closer."

Additional reporting by Ian Parkes