Christian Horner feels Sergio Perez can take a step back and re-find his F1 form with the points gap increasing to Max Verstappen.
With a gap of 53 points after seven races and Verstappen in an ominous form, even with 15 grands prix left, things will only get harder for Red Bull teammate Perez. After the tough runs in Monaco and Spain, team boss Horner sounds a touch pessimistic on his side.
The pessimism is not about the talent that Perez has but more his chances to dethrone Verstappen, who looks a bit unbeatable at the moment. It is rather strange from Horner to put the guards down for the Mexican but perhaps he sees some reality in it.
As noted about Verstappen’s current form and no other challengers in sight, it is indeed a tough job for Perez who will need to straight out beat the Dutchman in a head-to-head fight, where he needs to have a perfect outing at almost every F1 grand prix.
It is not impossible certainly but it is also a high case of optimism. “The fact that he was only a couple of seconds from the podium in Spain as well at the end there hunting down George, I would say it was a particularly good recovery in the second half race,” said Horner to media.
“I think that will give him a lot of confidence, he’s had a difficult Monaco, a difficult Saturday in Spain, a stronger Sunday. Looking at the gap between the two drivers which is pretty significant, in many respects that will take pressure off his shoulders. I think that will allow him just to now relax, not put pressure on himself, just re-find the form that he had in those early races.
“I think that we know what Checo is capable of. We’ve seen in races like Azerbaijan and Saudi already this year, what he’s capable of doing. I’m sure he’ll re-find that form in the near future,” summed up Horner, who agreed that it is difficult being a teammate to Verstappen especially with the form the Dutchman is showing.
“Being Max Verstappen’s team mate… Take nothing away, there’s not a driver out there today, I believe, that would have beaten Max in that car today. He’s up against a driver that is at the top of his form, and that’s very tough. Checo, mentally, it’s a really tough thing to deal with. But as I say, I think now, there is that separation in the points, that may actually take the pressure off him a little, and the expectation he’s putting on himself, he needs to let go of that now and just be free to drive,” summed up Horner.
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