SEATTLE - As if Sergio "Checo" Pérez needed an extra motivation while seeking to dethrone teammate Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner spoke to the media about the team's future once the current season comes to an end.
The Mexican driver has been part of the Red Bull team since 2021, but with no negotiations to extend his contract, the current season could be Checo's last with the Austrian team.
Ever since signing with Red Bull, Pérez has established himself as one of the best drivers in all of Formula 1. Since his first season, only his teammate Max Verstappen (46) and Lewis Hamilton (8) have won more races than the Mexican (5). Most importantly though, Pérez has been an excellent teammate to three-time world champion Verstappen during his run.
Red Bull's domination in recent years has attracted a bunch of quality drivers to consider a move to the Austrian team. "We have a phenomenal car, we've got one seat open for next year," Horner said. "I've probably got 16 drivers that are desperate to be in that car for next year," he added. It makes sense: who wouldn't be interested in joining a team that has won 51 out of the 68 F1 Grand Prix celebrated since the start of 2021?
Most Formula 1 wins - Since 2021
Driver
Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton
Sergio Pérez
Charles Leclerc
Team
Red Bull
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Wins
46
8
5
3
As Checo continues to prove that he is worthy of a new contract with one of the best teams in Formula 1, Horner remains confident that he is the perfect pairing for their Flying Dutchman beyond 2024. "I think he's the type of guy that just needs an arm around his shoulder. You work with him and that's what we're doing," said Horner in an interview with formula1.com. "You're always looking for perfection in this business. Of course, we're always trying to say, 'Where can we better?' In this instance, it's like, 'OK, where can we help Checo to achieve what he's doing on Sundays on Saturday?'," he added.
With two races down in the 2024 calendar, the Formula 1 world prepares for the next Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia in March 23. The Mexican is situated in second place in the world drivers' championship thanks to two second-place finishes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Pérez will look to make it three podiums in a row in Australia, a feat he has achieved only twice in his Formula 1 career (2021, 2022).
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