Christian Horner Backs Sergio Perez to Maintain Strong Form in 2024 F1 Season

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has expressed confidence in Sergio Perez's ability to sustain his impressive performance throughout the 2024 Formula 1 season. Perez, who currently sits second in the drivers' standings behind teammate Max Verstappen, has had a strong start to the year with three second-place finishes and a fifth-place result in Melbourne despite car damage.

Horner attributed Perez's success to his relaxed mindset and focus on his own driving. "Checo has been driving exceptionally well so far this season," Horner stated. "He's in a good place mentally and is concentrating on maximizing his own performance each weekend."

The Red Bull boss also highlighted Perez's improved approach to grand prix weekends, particularly at tracks where he struggled in the past. "We saw a change in Checo's approach, especially at a circuit like Suzuka where he had difficulties last year but was very competitive this time around," Horner noted.

Despite Perez's strong form, Horner emphasized that Red Bull is not rushing to make a decision about their 2025 driver lineup. The team is happy with the current pairing of Perez and Verstappen, but they want to ensure that the Mexican driver maintains his consistency before committing to a new contract.

Why this matters: Perez's performance in the 2024 season could have significant implications for his future with Red Bull Racing and the team's prospects of securing another constructors' championship. As one of the top drivers on the grid, Perez's continued success is crucial for Red Bull to maintain their dominance in the sport.

While Perez has expressed confidence in continuing with Red Bull, Horner has indicated that there is no imminent rush to announce the full driver lineup for 2025. The team principal acknowledged the interest surrounding Carlos Sainz, whose contract with Ferrari ends this year, but reiterated that Red Bull's focus remains on Perez's performance and consistency in the current season.

Key Takeaways

• Horner confident in Perez's performance in 2024 F1 season
• Perez's strong start with 3 P2 finishes and a P5 in Melbourne
• Perez's improved approach, especially at challenging tracks like Suzuka
• Red Bull not rushing to confirm 2025 driver lineup, focused on Perez's consistency
• Perez's 2024 performance crucial for Red Bull's constructors' title hopes