Sergio Perez given Red Bull reality check as Christian Horner explains plan

08 January 2024 , 18:03

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There is plenty of speculation about Sergio Perez's future with Red Bull (Image: Getty Images)

Sergio Perez will be given the chance to prove he is deserving of his Red Bull seat.

But boss Christian Horner has also warned the 33-year-old that the team is "in a luxury position" of having plenty of viable replacements for him. The pressure is firmly on Perez as he prepares for the final season of his current contract.

There remains significant doubt over whether he will be offered another by Red Bull. Despite having the quickest car on the grid throughout the 2023 campaign and finishing second behind only team-mate Max Verstappen, Perez laboured to that position with a series of underwhelming results.

It did not cost the team last year as they strolled to constructors' championship glory. But if their rivals put up more of a fight this year, they will need both their drivers at the top of their game.

Red Bull already have viable replacements on the books, with Daniel Ricciardo keen to win back his old seat and AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda also wanting to prove himself. Reserve driver Liam Lawson would easily slot in if either of them were to get the promotion they crave.

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And the team is not limited to just those who are already contracted. Most external candidates are likely to be keen on a switch to the team dominating the Formula 1 world right now, with the likes of McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri linked, along with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

Speaking to Speedcafe, team principal Horner insists Perez will have the chance to prove he can provide the performances and results needed and expected of him. But he also knows there will be plenty of other fish in the sea if it does not work out that way.

"We're in a luxury position where there are an awful lot of people that want to be sat in that car," he said. "We just have to weigh up what is best for the team.

"It's Checo's seat to lose. He's the incumbent of that seat, and a lot will depend on how next season goes for him. But we're not short of talent within the group and, obviously, outside of the group there's been significant interest as well."

Horner's position and influence over Red Bull's sister teams means he can keep an especially close eye on the AlphaTauri pair vying for a promotion. Regarding Ricciardo and Tsunoda, he added: "Both are in a system where we can see very closely what they are doing. It's down to them to demonstrate to us that they should be under consideration."

Daniel Moxon