Sergio Perez, from Red Bull Racing, celebrates his second place in the parc ferme area with Chalerm Yoovidhya, co-owner of Red Bull Racing, and Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing. This took place on March 2, 2024, during the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is part of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull Formula 1, believes that up to 16 drivers would be interested in the available seat at the team for the 2025 season. However, he emphasizes that Sergio Perez is currently the favorite for the position. Perez is in the final year of his contract with Red Bull and faces pressure to secure a renewal after a challenging season last year, where he finished 290 points behind Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s dominant performance in the last era of F1’s ground effect continued in 2024, with Verstappen leading the team to two consecutive victories at the start of the current season. Despite finishing 22 seconds behind his teammate in Bahrain, Perez’s performance in the season opener was praised by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko as a significant achievement.
Horner reiterates that Red Bull’s preference is to keep Perez as Verstappen’s partner for the 2025 season. However, he acknowledges that the team has many other options to consider. Horner comments: “We have an exceptional car. We have a seat available for next year. I have about 16 drivers who are eager to take that seat. But Checo is currently in the lead. It’s his seat to lose.”
The future of Verstappen with Red Bull has been the subject of speculation following an investigation into Horner. Although Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing, Max’s father, Jos, has expressed doubts about Horner’s position as head of Red Bull. Both Horner and Verstappen have expressed their desire to continue the partnership, but the Red Bull F1 boss emphasizes that no individual is more important than the team. He praises Verstappen’s performance on the track and states that the team’s focus is on their racing endeavors. When asked about others taking a similar stance, he suggests that enough has already been said by external parties and reiterates the importance of the team as a whole. Horner states that the ongoing tension does not affect the team and hints that Verstappen will not be forced to stay at Red Bull if he does not want to. He emphasizes that the team’s performance is the top priority for everyone involved, from top to bottom, and individuals who do not wish to be part of the team are not obligated to stay. People work in this sport and for this team because they are passionate about it, and it is this passion that allows them to achieve exceptional results. This passion and commitment are the essence of Red Bull Racing’s DNA and will continue to drive them forward for the next 20 years and beyond.
