Perez’s future has been the topic of infinite hypothesis as a result of giant efficiency hole between him and team-mate Max Verstappen this yr, with the Dutchman romping to his ninth consecutive victory at Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Current feedback by Pink Bull advisor Helmut Marko additional added gas to the fireplace, the Austrian suggesting in a number of German-language interviews Perez was not 100% sure to take up his seat in 2024 regardless of a working contract.
Daniel Ricciardo’s return with AlphaTauri is broadly seen as an audition for Perez’s Pink Bull seat, albeit extra for 2025 fairly than subsequent yr.
Talking after the Zandvoort race, Horner has formally confirmed in no unsure phrases that Perez will retain his seat in 2024, regardless of Marko’s feedback.
“Checo’s state of affairs for subsequent yr is evident,” Horner said. “He is a Red Bull Racing driver. Now we have an settlement with him.
“Irrelevant of agreements, we’re happy with the job that he is doing. You noticed his drive right this moment, he was unfortunate with the pitlane velocity limiter [which cost Perez a five-second penalty that dropped him off the podium to fourth].
“He is second on this planet championship, he is the one driver fairly than Max to have gained grands prix this yr.
“It is simple to beat up on him when the barometer is so excessive on the opposite facet, however he will probably be our driver in 2024.”
Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing, in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Horner identified Verstappen was not simply dominating his team-mate, but in addition the remainder of the grid as he scythed up the order in the course of the early, moist laps of the Dutch Grand Prix after coming in a lap too late for intermediates and ceding the result in Perez.
“Max is in a interval of his profession the place he is simply merely untouchable and I do not suppose there’s any driver on the grid that might be capable of obtain what he is been doing in that automotive,” he added.
“Being his team-mate might be in some respects probably the most unenviable job to have as a result of the barometer is so excessive.
“You have to take a look at the efficiency on the timesheet and the outcomes sheet. If Max hadn’t been there, Checo would have gained one other 4 or 5 races.
“So, he is doing his job. He is second on this planet championship. You noticed his efficiency right this moment. He was unfortunate to get the rushing high-quality. And hopefully he can add to his wins earlier than the tip of the yr.”
Extra reporting by Erwin Jaeggi
