‘We have two VERY mature drivers who work effectively collectively’: Christian Horner makes an attempt to diffuse friction in Purple Bull’s camp… after Sergio Perez voiced considerations after dropping quickest lap to team-mate Max Verstappen
- Purple Bull’s Sergio Perez won his first race of the season in Jeddah final weekend
- However Max Verstappen stole the quickest lap off his team-mate within the closing phases
- Christian Horner performed down the concept there may be friction in his Purple Bull camp
Purple Bull chief Christian Horner has performed down any friction between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, after the latter raised considerations over his crew’s communication within the closing laps of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Perez fended off his team-mate to win the second race of the season in Jeddah, after a disastrous qualifying session final Saturday saw favourite Verstappen drop out in Q2 because of a mechanical problem.
The Dutchman fought again with distinctive race tempo to cross the chequered flag in P2 and claimed an extra point for the fastest lap, which might show essential down the road as he hunts for a 3rd successive world championship.
Verstappen waited till the ultimate lap to steal it off Perez, who looked set to take the lead in the championship for the primary time in his System One profession.
After the race, Perez revealed he was informed to ‘maintain a sure tempo’ on the ultimate lap by his crew somewhat than to push on and shield his quickest lap towards Verstappen.
Sergio Perez (pictured) held off Max Verstappen to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix final week
Purple Bull crew principal Christian Horner tried to diffuse any friction between his drivers
Disillusioned that the Dutchman now heads to Australia with a slender benefit within the championship, Perez raised considerations over his crew’s intentions.
Horner urged that Purple Bull’s plan for Perez was based mostly solely on ‘reliability points’, with the crew keen to not push the automobile to the utmost within the threat of squandering the Mexican’s race win.
Within the closing 5 laps nonetheless, seeing as Purple Bull had all however claimed their second one-two end of the season, Horner was completely happy to ‘allow them to get on with it’.
‘I believe for us as a crew, we have been involved about reliability points, how will we handle that? As soon as we noticed there was no problem that we might see within the knowledge, it was a query of letting them get on with it and principally each managing the final 5 laps,’ Horner urged.
Verstappen waited till the very finish to nab quickest lap away from Perez, incomes an additional level
Perez (proper) raised considerations afterwards as he was informed to ‘maintain a sure tempo’ on the final lap
‘If you go these messages on to the driving force, in fact the crew’s curiosity is to maximise the factors. At no matter level you’re feeling you might need a reliability problem, you must handle that.
‘I believe inevitably, as Max stated on the radio, the purpose for quickest lap meant a fantastic deal to him and there was no motive for us to not let him or Checo have a crack at it.’
When requested whether or not Purple Bull anticipate any friction contained in the camp this season, with each drivers desirous to chase down a shot on the championship, Horner replied: ‘We have two very mature drivers who work effectively collectively; they’ve labored effectively collectively beforehand.
‘We mentioned the race earlier than the race and stated, ‘Look, you’re free to race as we speak, however the guidelines of engagement are crew first, respect one another, respect the automobiles that you’re driving’. We [wanted] to convey house most factors and we have completed that.’
