Christian Horner says ‘life is subjective’ in response to future of Sergio Perez, as rumbles about Franco Colapinto pops up after his Williams visit.
The speculation about Perez just doesn’t ends. It is an ongoing saga despite multiple clarifications about his contract. The Mexican insists he has a contract for 2025 F1 season, but Red Bull is the one giving mixed signals, especially after every race weekend when he hasn’t performed.
Even though Perez hasn’t got the same updates as Max Verstappen, the low-key performances are not entirely down to those missing parts. Every weekend, the Mexican finds ways to make his weekend difficult and the large portion of blame lies in his in qualifying dip.
After Mexico, Horner noted that Red Bull will have to make hard decisions for its future, but after Brazil, the Red Bull chief put down the statement with a ‘life is subjective’ counter. The same weekend saw him visit James Vowles at the Williams motorhome amid rumours of taking away Colapinto.
Although some wild speculation also linked a Carlos Sainz switch, but so far no credible source has claimed it to be a truth. Horner, meanwhile, had praise for Colapinto’s performances and his rise in F1. “I think everything in life is subjective and you’ve got to look at the facts,” he said to media. “We’re working hard with Checo, he had a chassis change in Brazil. I thought he drove a good sprint, but the main race wasn’t his day.
“There was nothing evident to me in the race [to show Perez had a problem when Verstappen could push through to win]. Anyhow, Sergio Perez is our current driver. Liam Lawson did a super job in Brazil, and Yuki. Liam, particularly, considering his experience. Franco is another talent. So, of course, you’re always keeping an eye on the market of how things are developing,” summed up Horner.
Vowles played down meet with the Red Bull chief in a joke which he has been running since his meet with Valtteri Bottas earlier in the season. In fact, it was the Finn who started the joke. “We’ve recently signed a new coffee sponsor, which is Reviver from Gulf, and he really wanted to try it,” he said. “That was a good part of the conversation. He enjoyed it.”
Colpainto has made his mark after replacing Logan Sargeant. Additionally, the South American driver brings significant commercial value, along with a host of fans from the region. Since Williams has already signed up Alexander Albon and Sainz for 2025 F1 season, Vowles is handling the Argentine’s future.
Vowles has been tight lipped so far while stressing that he is in talks with several teams about Colapinto. “The best I can say is this: we are exploring possibilities with a number of teams that are interested at the moment,” he said. “And beyond there, it would be wrong to do anything more than speculate here. There’s nothing to really communicate beyond that point.
“When there is, I’ll happily talk about it because he’s an exceptional driver. And I really mean that. Go look outside. There was tens of thousands of individuals here to support a driver that’s been in our championship for five races. He’s doing an outstanding job on track. And as I’ve said from the very beginning, earn your position and elements will come your way.
“But beyond there, I think especially when we look at the fact he’s a 21-year-old and my responsibility is also towards him and making sure we do the right thing, I want to make sure that when we have news, come to the world, but there really isn’t much to talk about right now. The best I can really tell you is we’re actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well and protects all parties.
“So it’s very much in those lines. It’s the same concept behind it. It’s never straightforward between Formula 1 teams because you’re fighting on track and you’re trying to find a solution for a career of a young man. But answering the question, he is earning his place. He needs to do more on track to keep earning his place as a result of things, but he’s shining, and that’s why there’s interest from teams.
“And our responsibility in that is I have a responsibility both towards him and Williams. And hopefully we’ll have some great news to be able to talk to everyone about, but today that isn’t available. When will it be decided? Yes. I mean, these sorts of things are always hard to do because you’re talking about multiple teams talking together.
“But it’ll be something that I’m confident before the last race of the season we’ll have nailed. But it’s really hard for me to pinpoint where in between those two timelines,” summed up Vowles.
Here’s more on GPDA letter
Here’s Williams facing crunch ahead of Las Vegas
Here’s Sergio Perez on Brazil GP
Here’s Max Verstappen on his emotions
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