“That’s all hypothetical”: Christian Horner insists on patience regarding Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda’s futures at Red Bull
Christian Horner has described the speculation surrounding Yuki Tsunoda potentially replacing Sergio Perez as a “hypothetical” situation that hinges on the driver decisions Red Bull makes after the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP. Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, following the Qatar GP, the Red Bull Racing team principal empathized with Perez’s struggles and the intense scrutiny of his future.
When asked about Tsunoda’s candidacy or other potential replacements, Horner deflected from offering specifics, stating that Red Bull remains tight-lipped regarding its options. He did, however, confirm that the team will evaluate the situation thoroughly after the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Horner emphasized his understanding of the challenges faced by Perez over the past two seasons, acknowledging the weekly speculation about the Guadalajara-born driver’s future.
Despite dismal performances this year, Sergio Perez has publicly insisted that he will stay with Red Bull until his contract ends in 2025. When asked if Perez’s confidence surprised him, Horner acknowledged that the 34-year-old driver is fully aware of his position and reiterated that Red Bull will continue to support him through the final race of the season.
Asked by Sportskeeda who was the banker for Perez and how much of a chance Tsunoda had, Horner replied:
“I think that's all hypothetical subject to what happens with Checo. So let's get to the end of Abu Dhabi and then we'll see where we are.”
Asked about Perez’s confidence that he will stay at Red Bull for 2025 and beyond despite the results, Horner said:
“Look, Checo has had a very tough year and obviously the points tables are what they are. We're very much focused on really supporting him to the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi. And then obviously it's not an enjoyable situation for Checo being in this position with speculation every week. He's old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is and let's see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”
Christian Horner reckons Sergio Perez's scenario will be analyzed post-Abu Dhabi GP
Christian Horner has stated that Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull will be decided after the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP. The Red Bull Racing CEO suggested that the decision is ultimately in the hands of the Mexican driver, considering the challenging year he has had.
Horner acknowledged Perez’s contributions to the team over the past four seasons but recognized that he is currently in a difficult position. He emphasized that the team will do its best to support the 34-year-old driver through the season finale in Abu Dhabi, as they assess the situation moving forward.
Acknowledging the contributions of Sergio Perez to Red Bull, Horner said:
“Checos contributed a huge amount to this team in the four years that he's been here. You know, the world championship that Max achieved in '21, the Constructors World Championships in '22 and ’23 and obviously this year has been particularly hard.
"He's won five Grand Prix for us, And he's had some outstanding performances in races like Singapore, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, you know to name a few. So you know everybody holds Checo in the highest of regard and respect but obviously, the situation that we're in is as painful for him as it is for the team.”
Asked if he was suggesting that it was up to Sergio Perez to step away from the team, he said:
“Look, I'm going to let Checo come to his own conclusions, nobody's forcing him way or another, but I'm going to let him, you know, it's not a nice situation for him to obviously be in.”
Asked how worried he was that Perez might not regain his confidence again, Horner replied:
“Well, look, we've got one more race this year, so we'll throw everything at it and hopefully he can have a strong race to end the season in Abu Dhabi.”
Sergio Perez has currently scored just 152 points in 23 races, placing him a staggering eighth in the Drivers’ standings, while his teammate Max Verstappen has secured his fourth championship. The points gap between the two Red Bull drivers stands at 277. Red Bull Racing has also slipped to third in the Constructors’ championship with 581 points, trailing Ferrari by 38 points and McLaren by 59 points.
In the past, Christian Horner has pointed to the lack of an equal second driver as a key reason for the team’s failure to secure the Constructors’ title, unlike their rivals who have two competitive drivers. The question now remains: who will be competitive enough to match Verstappen at Red Bull Racing? Reports after the Qatar race suggest that Sergio Perez may part ways with the team at the end of the season. Decisions regarding this matter are expected to be made after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.