Sergio Perez heads into his home race at the Mexico GP admitting his 2024 season has been “terrible,” a sentiment echoed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who acknowledged Checo’s struggles but affirmed Red Bull’s commitment to the Mexican driver. Despite Perez’s early season strength, with four podiums in the first five races, he has since failed to reach the podium, leaving Red Bull trailing McLaren by 40 points in the Constructors’ Championship with five races to go.
“I think he’s summed it up perfectly: it’s been a bad year,” Horner said, acknowledging Perez’s struggles since Imola. “We saw flashes of performance…at Azerbaijan, arguably, he could have won that race almost a month ago. We know what he’s capable of, and we’re hoping that we can give him the setup and the confidence in the car to extract the kind of performances that we know he’s very capable of.”
Perez’s inconsistent results have fueled speculation that Red Bull might replace him, especially after New Zealander Liam Lawson’s impressive debut filling in for Daniel Ricciardo. Lawson scored points in his first outing at the United States Grand Prix, which took place on a Sprint weekend, leaving Horner impressed by the rookie’s performance under pressure. “To go from the back to ninth and score points… I thought he did a super job,” Horner said, praising Lawson’s adaptability.
However, Horner reiterated Red Bull’s current plan, firmly stating, “Checo is our driver and he’s contracted for 2025. He’s competitive, he’s hungry, he’s not happy with where he currently is,” while expressing optimism about a potential resurgence as the season closes. For Perez, the home race in Mexico offers a critical chance to perform well in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
As for Lawson, Horner remains cautious about future driver speculation. “He’s obviously a talented guy…he’s a talent that’s continuing to nurture and grow,” Horner noted. For now, Red Bull’s focus remains on supporting Perez through a tough season, while Lawson’s potential will continue to be assessed over the remaining races.
