Christian Horner has stated Sergio Perez’s lack of factors within the 2024 Method 1 season has been “very costly” for Pink Bull, as his probably ultimate race with the group approaches.
Regardless of Perez having a contract protecting the 2025 and 2026 F1 campaigns, Pink Bull is assumed to have already determined to interchange him for subsequent 12 months – though the style of his exit continues to be unclear given his contractual scenario.
Perez is presently eighth within the drivers’ standings, 277 factors behind his world champion team-mate Max Verstappen, which works out as a 65% distinction.
That is 133 factors fewer than what Perez collected in 2023 when he completed runner-up to Verstappen, with simply the season finale in Abu Dhabi to run on Sunday.
In addition to the large hole between the Pink Bull pair, enhancements from rival groups McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes means the Austrian squad has misplaced its constructors’ crown after again to again championships. Both McLaren or Ferrari will declare the title at Yas Marina Circuit.
“He’s been an awesome group participant,” Horner completely informed Motorsport.com in Abu Dhabi. “He’s contributed loads to the group in his time thus far. He stays underneath contract to the group.
“No person is extra disenchanted together with his season this 12 months than Checo. And clearly following the season, we’ll take the time to replicate on that.
Christian Horner, Workforce Principal, Pink Bull Racing, talks with Helmut Marko, Guide, Pink Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
“We’ve performed all the pieces that we will to try to assist him in the course of the season. All types of [things] – chassis modifications, set-up, working with him in many various areas. However this season shouldn’t be handled in isolation.
“Over the time frame that he’s been with the group he’s completed second on the planet championship final 12 months, he’s received 5 grands prix for us, he’s contributed to the 2021 championship [for Verstappen] and clearly contributed to 2 constructors’ championships.
“No person shall be extra disenchanted in his marketing campaign this 12 months than himself. In fact, Checo, together with his expertise – there’s all the time suggestions that’s useful to the group.
“He’s struggled to adapt to the automotive and the shortage of factors from the automotive has been very costly for us.”
Horner additionally reiterated that the choice to grant Perez a brand new contract, which was introduced again in early June, was as a result of it “was a time that we needed to have stability”.
“Checo was performing, he was delivering,” he added. “There was a juncture in his contract that triggered the dialogue.
“The contract’s all the time going to be personal and confidential between the driving force and the group, however the cause we selected to train it at the moment was to have stability after he’d been on the rostrum in 4 out of 5 races within the early a part of the 12 months.”
Horner denied solutions the contract resolution was a part of a plan to make sure stability ought to Verstappen attempt to pressure his method out of Pink Bull – at a time the place it was beginning to battle with its RB20 and the Dutchman was being considerably courted by Mercedes.
“No, [it was] as a result of clearly there was lots of noise and it seemed like there was going to be a championship battle [with McLaren],” Horner stated. “And also you don’t need the distraction of the driving force merry-go-round.”
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Alex Kalinauckas
Method 1
Pink Bull Racing
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