Horner On Perez's Next Season: 'He Knows It’s A Big Year For Him'
F1Thursday, 14 December 2023 at 07:00
Christian Horner, Sergio Perez's team principal, shared his expectations from the Mexican after scrappy second place in the Championship in 2023.
The main problem for the Mexican F1 driver Sergio Perez in 2023 was Qualifying sessions. In all 22 qualifications, this average starting position was ninth on the grid.
Starting from the ninth place, it always made it challenging for Perez to fight his way up the grid. Red Bull team principal lately described qualifications as Mexicans' "Achilles' heel."
Speaking to Sky Sports after the end of the season, Christian Horner suggested the 33-year-old driver had a "bit of a reset" in the last few races of the season.
"I think the last few races he’s had a bit of a reset. His pace, when you look at the analysis through [the Abu Dhabi] weekend, again was very, very strong. He’s just got to sort his Saturdays out."
The British team principal often backed Perez throughout the year, saying the driver shows a very strong race pace; he only needs to translate it into qualifying as well.
"His race pace is there, his race craft is fantastic, he’s probably overtaken more cars than anybody this year, but we just need him to be starting in the first four rather than ninth or 10th, whatever his average has been over the last few races."
As suggested by Horner, Perez, in fact, did perform the most overtakes out of any driver on the grid in 2023, as he gained 105 positions throughout 22 races. The team principal continued:
"He’s still finished second in this world championship and won some great races, put in some great drives, but I think he knows where his areas to improve are. I think [there will be] a little bit of a reset in terms of how he goes about his racing next year as well."
According to his current contract, the 2024 season is Perez's last season in Red Bull. He could continue with the team from Milton Keynes even beyond 2024, but he has to improve. As Horner hinted, next year is a "big year" for the 33-year-old.
"He knows it’s a big year for him and he’ll take a bit of time this winter to reflect on where he needs to improve and I’m sure he’ll come back fighting next year."
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