Horner sets clear goal for potential new Red Bull driver: 'Gap must narrow'

Horner on Perez's future at Red Bull

Horner began, "Those discussions will happen between Checo and the team. Now we get the season out of the way, we'll sit down with him and reflect on the season, where it's gone wrong and collectively work out what is the right and appropriate way forward."

The Red Bull team boss continued, "Checo has been a great servant of this team. Going back to this race in 2021, the contribution that he made. ‘22 and ‘23 Constructors World Championships, five race victories, second in last year's Drivers' Championship. He's done an awful lot for this team and we'll sit down and reflect on this season and how we move forward."

When more will be known about the situation, Horner does not yet dare to say: "There's no immediate rush. We have all the permutations that are available to us internally. I think the first thing is to sit down with Checo and have that conversation now that the season's completed. All I can confirm is that there's a lot of speculation."

Horner: 'Gap between Verstappen and teammate needs to narrow'

This year, Red Bull Racing did win the drivers' championship with Max Verstappen, but because Perez did not perform as well, the constructors' championship fell to McLaren. Horner says it is therefore important that the second driver can also make a big contribution: "I think you can see the importance of having two drivers scoring on a regular and collective basis in the Constructors' Championship is crucial. Ferrari will be strong with their lineup next year. McLaren have a strong lineup. Mercedes will have an inexperienced driver in one of their seats. For us, it's very important that both of our drivers are delivering and there's not a significant gap."

This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy

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