Christian Horner, conflict at Red Bull, a possible departure of Max Verstappen: Sergio Perez’s good performance at the start of the Formula 1 season in Bahrain was almost lost due to all the explosive topics. Bull eminence Helmut Marko praises the Mexican with unusual words.
Already in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Sergio Perez made a better impression than in many of the previous season’s time hunts. In fifth place, “Checo” missed the first two rows of the grid. However, the Red Bull driver was only a little more than three tenths short of over-dominator Max Verstappen; overall, Perez appeared significantly more stable in his trembling discipline than in 2023.
In the race, the Mexican showed off his racing strength and the superiority of the RB20 and took second place, 22.4 behind Verstappen – the maximum given that the Dutchman from the other “galaxy” (according to Toto Wolff) had once again flown away.
“That was a very good race for him,” said Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko, praising Perez, who many observers classified as a shaky candidate. “He just has Max as a teammate. Not being destroyed by Max is a big achievement.”
One should not forget that Perez was behind George Russell’s Mercedes and the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc for quite a while in the race, said the Austrian. “When he had a clear ride, he showed competitive laps.”
Formula 1: Is Perez fighting for a new Red Bull contract?
The ailing team boss Christian Horner was also pleased with Perez’s performance and once again offered the 33-year-old a new contract for 2025. “He has to do enough to earn this seat. Days like this are exactly what he has to deliver,” said the Briton after the Bahrain race.
Before the start of the season, Perez was considered by many experts to be the man on the hot seat. The tenor: If he doesn’t meet expectations in the first half of the season, he’ll fly. With veteran Daniel Ricciardo from the sister team Racing Bulls and replacement Liam Lawson, the world champion team would have alternatives in their own stable.
Perez’s contract runs until the end of the season.