Red Bull Racing Team Principal, Christian Horner, has expressed concern over Sergio Perez’s recent struggles and emphasized the urgent need for the Mexican driver to regain his form. In a candid interview, Horner highlighted the impact of Perez’s performance on the team’s championship aspirations.
“It was a horrible weekend for Checo and obviously, we picked up some damage,” Horner told Sky Sports. “He’ll need to come back strong in Barcelona.
Horner urges Checo to find his form again:
"It was a horrible weekend for Checo, and we suffered a lot of damage. He will have to hit it back in Barcelona."
"Fortunately, Ferrari also had a dramatic day, and didn’t score any points. That helped us. But we need two cars to get… pic.twitter.com/hOryoKKAlO
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) June 10, 2024
Indeed, the last few races have been challenging for Perez, who has managed to score just five points. Meanwhile, his teammate, Max Verstappen, has been consistently racking up points, securing his 50th race win out of 75 last races.
“Thankfully, Ferrari had a shocker and didn’t get any points so that let us off the hook somewhat, but we need both cars scoring.
“We got away with it today but we need Checo back up there where he was at the beginning of the year from Barcelona onwards.”
Behind the Scenes: Sergio Perez’s Mental Battle
Earlier this year, Sergio Perez revealed that he is working with a psychologist to rediscover the form he displayed at the beginning of the season. Back then, he clinched victories in two of the first four races, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset to the team. However, recent performances have left much to be desired.
Red Bull’s fortunes have been a rollercoaster ride. While Verstappen’s dominance has been a major positive, the team relies on both cars to maximize their points haul. “We need two cars to get points,” Horner emphasized. The recent race in Qatar highlighted this dependency, as Sergio Perez’s involvement in a three-car accident forced Red Bull to replace his chassis. Starting from the pit lane, he managed to salvage a single point with a tenth-place finish.
Horner acknowledged that Ferrari’s misfortune—where they failed to score any points—helped Red Bull maintain their lead in the Constructors’ Championship. However, relying solely on Verstappen’s performance is not a sustainable strategy. “This time we got away with it,” Horner admitted, “but we need Checo at the front of the field again, like at the start of the year.”
As the Formula 1 circus heads to Barcelona for the next race, all eyes will be on Perez. Can he find his rhythm again? Will the mental coaching sessions yield results? Red Bull’s hopes for the championship hinge on Sergio Perez’s resurgence. Horner’s message is clear: “Checo will have to hit it back in Barcelona.”
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