F1 News: Christian Horner On Sergio Perez 2025 Seat - "It's Down To Him"

Sergio Perez must perform in the upcoming Formula 1 season to secure his seat at Red Bull Racing for 2025.

As the 2024 F1 season slowly fades in, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez face contrasting situations at Red Bull Racing. The former aims for a fourth consecutive world title, while the latter understands the need to perform to retain his seat for 2025. Christian Horner, the team's principal, has made it clear that Perez's future with the team hinges on his performance in the upcoming months.

Key Takeaways

• Perez's Performance Crucial: Christian Horner emphasized to PlanetF1 that Sergio Perez is the right choice for Red Bull "at the moment," but his continuation for 2025 depends on his performance over the next nine months.
• Options for Red Bull: Horner acknowledges the team has numerous options for Perez's seat in 2025, with drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda in consideration. Red Bull's success makes it an attractive team for many drivers, some of whom would race for free.
• Confidence in Perez: Despite the competition, Horner has had several discussions with Perez and remains confident in his abilities. With extensive experience in the sport, Perez is well aware of what he needs to do to secure his place.

As Red Bull Racing gears up for the RB20's presentation and the upcoming test days in Bahrain, Horner's stance on Perez's position remains consistent. He told PlanetF1:

"It’s down to him over the next nine months to demonstrate that we feel that way for 2025." 

Horner's options for replacing Perez in 2025 are varied, with potential candidates ready to seize the opportunity at the top-performing team. This includes the talented Daniel Ricciardo, who returned to the grid mid-way through 2023 with Red Bull sister team AlphaTauri, Liam Lawson, a young and talented driver who stood in for the Australian when he injured himself, and a handful of other names.

Horner's confidence in Perez stems from multiple conversations, reinforcing the belief that Perez knows what is required of him. 

"I think he knows what he’s got to do, he’s been around the sport long enough, and he’s got enough experience," Horner stated, acknowledging Perez's tenure in the sport.

The dynamic within the Milton Keynes squad is one of high expectations and performance-driven decisions, led by Horner and Helmut Marko. With Verstappen firmly established as a top contender, Perez faces the challenge of proving his worth to maintain his position. 

The situation for Perez at Red Bull is clear: deliver results, and the seat is his. The pressure is on, but with his experience and knowledge of the sport, Perez has the tools to rise to the challenge. But how will he deal with the pressure of fighting against one of the most dominant names of the sport so far? Plus, will he be more at home in the likes of the RB20 compared to last year's car, which he was vocally unsure about?

"You can imagine that when you’ve got a car that’s won all bar one race, it’s pretty appealing to any driver on the grid,” said Horner when asked about whether other drivers had made their feelings known about wanting to join Red Bull. 

It's no secret that Perez's seat is the most sought after in the sport right now. It could also arguably be the most at risk. So what will he do to change that?

Sergio Perez's 2023 Season Summary

Sergio Perez's 2023 Formula 1 season was a rollercoaster ride marked by early triumphs, mid-season challenges, and a struggle for consistent form. He kicked off the year with high hopes, showcasing his potential by qualifying close to teammate Max Verstappen and securing a victory in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. His standout performance in Baku, where he clinched victories in both the sprint race and the main event, further highlighted his capability as a top contender in the sport.

However, as the season progressed, Perez faced a series of setbacks that impacted his championship aspirations as he struggled mentally fighting against Verstappen. A notable low point was the Miami Grand Prix, where despite starting strong and securing pole position, he was eventually outperformed by his champion teammate. 

His challenges continued with a series of disappointing qualifying results, including a significant mishap in Monaco where he started at the back of the grid and finished 16th. This trend of inconsistency persisted through several races, affecting his overall standing and casting doubt on his ability to maintain top form throughout the season.

Despite these struggles, Perez played a pivotal role in Red Bull Racing's historic season, contributing to the team's success with important finishes and podiums and bringing home a 1-2 for the first time in the team's history.