Horner Warns Perez's Current Performance Is 'Unsustainable' Amid Rumors About Replacement

Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 14:00

Red Bull's team principal, Christian Horner, discussed Sergio Perez's performance following the P17 finish at the 2024 British Grand Prix.

The 12th round of the season was the sixth consecutive race in a row that Sergio Perez hasn't performed as well as his team needs him to.

While the Drivers' Championship is firmly in Max Verstappen's hands, the Constructors' Championship, which Red Bull leads by 71 points ahead of the second team, is currently in danger.

The team from Milton Keynes needs both of their drivers to score big points if they want to protect the first place, and that has not been the case with Perez, who scored 14 points in the last six races altogether.

As reported by the Red Bull team, the Mexican driver's pace in practice sessions was pretty good, but one mistake in qualifying meant his whole weekend was over.

Fans, experts, and pundits are starting to suggest that Red Bull should terminate the Mexican driver's contract despite the fact that his new contract has yet to start.

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While team leaders Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have long defended their 34-year-old driver, even their recent statements are starting to hint that there might be serious consequences for Perez if he doesn't improve immediately. Speaking to the media after the 2024 British Grand Prix, Horner said:

"He knows it's unsustainable to not be scoring points; we have to be scoring points in that car, and he knows that."

"He knows his role and his target and so nobody is more eager than Checo to get back and find his form again."

The pressure on the Mexican driver is increasing as rumors about a possible mid-season swap emerge. The Red Bull Racing team principal downplayed the situation and also suggested that the most recent race was quite unlucky for Perez.

"So, of course, Checo, he's under pressure. That's normal in Formula 1, and when you're under-delivering, that pressure only mounts, and he's aware of that; he knows that, and this weekend, just nothing's really gone his way."