F1 News: Martin Brundle Challenges Christian Horner's Comments On Red Bull Driver Line-Up

Sky Sports reporter questions Christian Horner's comments on "best pairing" with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Ex-Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has raised questions about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner's recent statement regarding the team's driver line-up of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Last week, Horner unveiled Red Bull's 2023 F1 livery and during the event he praised the pair, calling them the team's best-ever line-up. Horner's statements come after two seasons of racing together, in which Verstappen has emerged as the team's top driver, winning two Drivers' Championships and leading the team to the Constructors' Championship last year, ending Mercedes' dominant run.

The team principal explained at the launch event:

"We're very lucky to have two fantastic drivers, and their combined efforts over the last two years have been stunning.

"Max won his first Drivers' World Championship in 2021, followed by a double championship win last year and 17 Grand Prix wins between the two of them. They finished first and third in the Drivers' Championship, and we brought home the Constructors' Championship to Red Bull Racing for the first time in eight years.

"I truly believe they are the best pairing we've ever had in Formula 1 and have been hugely successful."

However, Brundle has questioned Horner’s statement, asking what he meant by “best-ever.” Brundle speculated that perhaps Perez is more compliant with the team's game than previous drivers, such as Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel.

Despite Horner's positive remarks, tension rose between Verstappen and Perez during the latter stages of the 2022 season, and Bundle suggested to fellow Sky Sports F1 presenter Simon Lazenby that Horner's comment may be an "early plaster over the old wounds" from the previous year. Brundle said:

"What did Christian mean when he says they're the best line-up ever? Does he mean they fit together well, with Sergio being more compliant than Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel would have been?

"It's an odd statement, but Christian has the data and that's what he thinks. But if they're the two drivers you have going into the season, why not say nice things about them."