Formula 1 Qatar GP
Red Bull no longer has driver pairing like our F1 rivals – Horner
Christian Horner admits that Red Bull no longer has a pair of drivers like Formula 1 rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren as Sergio Perez struggles against Max Verstappen in 2023.
Matt Kew
Edited: Oct 10, 2023, 9:20 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
In a Qatar Grand Prix led from lights to flag by newly crowned three-time world champion Verstappen, team-mate Perez climbed from a pitlane start to classify 10th, but only after copping three five-second penalties for exceeding track limits on six occasions.
Amid Perez's ongoing struggles, Red Bull team boss Horner said that his driver now needs to be sat down and "go back to basics" to rediscover his confidence ahead of the United States, Mexico and Brazilian GP triple header.
But for now, he believes Red Bull has lost a driver pairing – comparable to the evenly matched McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes line-ups – which it could rely upon earlier in the season.
"I think with a car like we have, he's probably putting that pressure on himself," said Horner.
"The most important thing for us is winning both [drivers' and teams'] championships. We've done that.
"And then, what's the next best thing after that would be to have both your drivers first and second.
"You can see Mercedes have a pair, McLaren have a pair, Ferrari have a pair that are quite tight between the respective drivers.
"I think we've had that at the earlier point in the year. But as the season has gone on it's become more variant.
"We just need to get Checo back to the best form that he's capable of."
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Horner believes that it is Perez's mental, rather than physical, condition holding him back presently, although the Mexican is working with a psychological coach.
Asked if he was concerned about carrying a mismatched driver pairing into next year, with Perez under contract for 2024, Horner added: "The frustration is that we know what Checo has been capable of doing.
"Of course, last year and this year, he's contributed significantly to the constructors' championship. We desperately want him to find that form and as a team; we need him to.
"We can't afford to have a big split because if, as you would expect, the grid continues to concertina next year, we need both drivers delivering at the top of the game."
Horner insisted Red Bull is "going to give all the support that we possibly can" to help Perez amid speculation the team could change its driver line-up early next year.
Read Also:
- Sargeant cleared after retiring from F1 Qatar GP with heatstroke
- Horner: Red Bull "desperately needs" Perez to find F1 form
- Hamilton fined and reprimanded for crossing live F1 Qatar GP track
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 2023 F1 Qatar GP results: Max Verstappen wins, Mercs collide
Next article Norris: F1 Qatar GP was “too dangerous” for drivers
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Latest news
Aprilia: “Marco Bezzecchi couldn’t avoid the collision; Marc Marquez moved in on him"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
20 min
Aprilia: “Marco Bezzecchi couldn’t avoid the collision; Marc Marquez moved in on him"
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
How Max Verstappen beat Red Bull's own simulation tools with P2 in Brazil
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
How Max Verstappen beat Red Bull's own simulation tools with P2 in Brazil
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe