Christian Horner responds to Sergio Perez’ criticism of ‘one car team’ – F1journaal.be

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner refutes the statements of Sergio Perez, who claimed that Red Bull prefers Max Verstappen.

When asked if Perez could challenge Max Verstappen for the title, the Mexican replied that Verstappen has the advantage because the team always builds a custom car for the Dutch player before he joins the team. Christian Horner says that is not the case and that she has always treated her drivers as equals at Red Bull since the early days in Formula 1.

“This is the first time I’ve heard him say that. We’ve always run two cars since we started the sport in 2005 and we always want to have the best drivers in the car we can have,” he told the assembled media.

This is not the first time that Red Bull has been suspected of favoring a particular driver, be it Max Verstappen or Sebastian Vettel. But Christian Horner insists it’s more about form today.

“As a team we have always worked to give our riders the best opportunities and materials,” he added.

“Then it’s down to what they’re doing on the right track, whether it’s Max and Chico or Daniel and Max or Daniel and Seb and Mark and Seb or even back to David Coulthard and Mark Webber.”

Horner believes Perez struggled a bit with the car when he joined the team in 2021 but feels at home now.

“It’s great to see Checo doing so well now. In ’21 he came into the car after the COVID season and at the end of slate, and he struggled with that car.

“Last year he definitely felt at home in the car and took two of his 17 wins. This year has also gotten off to a good start, but we are still only two races away and there is still a long, long way to go.”