Lusail, like the majority of races this Formula 1 season, highlighted Sergio Perez’s struggles behind the wheel of the Red Bull RB20. Max Verstappen recently secured his fourth world title driving the same car as Perez. Though the car wasn’t as dominant as in 2023, it still delivered yet another championship to the Milton Keynes team.
Of course, Max Verstappen’s talent played a significant role in clinching his title, which he secured last week in Las Vegas. He has also won several races, including yesterday’s in Qatar, while Perez retired after a spin that damaged his clutch.
After the race, team principal Christian Horner addressed questions about Checo’s future, despite the Racing Point alumnus signing a multi-year deal with Red Bull this year.
“Checo has had a very tough season, and obviously, the points and standings reflect that. We’re really focused on supporting him through to the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi. After that, it’s not an ideal position for Checo to face such speculation every weekend, and we’ll see where things stand after Abu Dhabi.”
“Checo has certainly contributed greatly to the team’s success over the past few years. Think about Max’s 2021 championship (his defense against Lewis Hamilton, editor’s note), and the Constructors’ titles in 2022 and 2023. He has won five races with us, delivering great performances in Singapore, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia, among others. We have immense respect for what he’s achieved. But this year, he’s struggled enormously. It’s a tough situation for both him and the team.”
Christian Horner explained that he wants to give Sergio time to reflect on his future. This approach may be tied to sponsors associated with Checo, as his voluntary departure would make the separation easier for the team.
“I’ll let Checo draw his own conclusions about his future. No one is forcing him one way or the other, but I’ll leave him to think about it… It’s not an easy situation for him. Let’s get through Abu Dhabi and see how things unfold.”
When asked about potential drivers to replace Sergio Perez next season, Christian Horner ruled out Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver, who is seeking an F1 seat, seemed a plausible candidate, but Horner dismissed the idea, emphasizing Red Bull’s strong academy, which has consistently produced championship-level drivers and Grand Prix winners in top-tier motorsport.
“Colapinto is undoubtedly talented and is looking for an F1 seat. We have a pool of great talents in our academy, and I’m confident Colapinto will find his way into Formula 1 in the future.”
“We have a very strong junior program. It was great to see Isack Hadjar perform well in Formula 2 in Qatar. Lawson and Tsunoda are always very close in terms of pace during race weekends. So, we’re brimming with interesting drivers. The real question is: ‘Is there anyone who can handle the pressure of racing alongside Max?’ Being Max Verstappen’s teammate is probably the toughest job in Formula 1. But I think that applies to all drivers on the grid, not just Checo.”
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