Perez’s lack of 2024 F1 factors “very costly” for Crimson Bull

Christian Horner has stated Sergio Perez’s lack of factors within the 2024 Components 1 season has been “very costly” for Crimson Bull, as his possible closing race with the workforce approaches.

Regardless of Perez having a contract protecting the 2025 and 2026 F1 campaigns, Crimson Bull is assumed to have already determined to interchange him for subsequent yr – though the style of his exit continues to be unclear given his contractual scenario.

Perez is at the moment eighth within the drivers’ standings, 277 factors behind his world champion team-mate Max Verstappen, which works out as a 65% distinction.

That is 133 factors fewer than what Perez collected in 2023 when he completed runner-up to Verstappen, with simply the season finale in Abu Dhabi to run on Sunday.

In addition to the large hole between the Crimson Bull pair, enhancements from rival groups McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes means the Austrian squad has misplaced its constructors’ crown after again to again championships. Both McLaren or Ferrari will declare the title at Yas Marina Circuit. 

“He’s been an amazing workforce participant,” Horner completely instructed Motorsport.com in Abu Dhabi. “He’s contributed loads to the workforce in his time up to now. He stays underneath contract to the workforce.

“No one is extra dissatisfied along with his season this yr than Checo. And clearly following the season, we’ll take the time to replicate on that.

Christian Horner, Staff Principal, Crimson Bull Racing, talks with Helmut Marko, Marketing consultant, Crimson Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, Crimson Bull Racing

Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

“We’ve accomplished every little thing that we will to attempt to assist him in the course of the season. Every kind of [things] – chassis modifications, set-up, working with him in many various areas. However this season shouldn’t be handled in isolation.

“Over the time period that he’s been with the workforce he’s completed second on the earth championship final yr, he’s gained 5 grands prix for us, he’s contributed to the 2021 championship [for Verstappen] and clearly contributed to 2 constructors’ championships.

“No one can be extra dissatisfied in his marketing campaign this yr than himself. After all, Checo, along with his expertise – there’s at all times suggestions that’s helpful to the workforce.

“He’s struggled to adapt to the automobile and the dearth of factors from the automobile has been very costly for us.”

Horner additionally reiterated that the choice to grant Perez a brand new contract, which was introduced again in early June, was as a result of it “was a time that we wished to have stability”.

“Checo was performing, he was delivering,” he added. “There was a juncture in his contract that triggered the dialogue.

“The contract’s at all times going to be personal and confidential between the driving force and the workforce, however the cause we selected to train it at the moment was to have stability after he’d been on the rostrum in 4 out of 5 races within the early a part of the yr.”

Horner denied recommendations the contract resolution was a part of a plan to make sure stability ought to Verstappen attempt to power his approach out of Crimson Bull – at a time the place it was beginning to battle with its RB20 and the Dutchman was being considerably courted by Mercedes.

“No, [it was] as a result of clearly there was a variety of noise and it regarded like there was going to be a championship combat [with McLaren],” Horner stated. “And also you don’t need the distraction of the driving force merry-go-round.”

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