Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner’s verdict on much-needed ‘confidence boost’ for Sergio Perez
Perez, who qualified third behind pole sitter Lando N🍎orris𝓀 and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen, overcame a poor start to claim third place in Saturday’s sprint race at Interlagos.
The Mexican lost out to George Russell’s Mercedes 🍎off the line and was overtaken by Lewis Hamilton at Turn 4, but fou💫ght his way back past both on his way to taking a much-needed result that broke his recent run of torrid form.
It came ꧃a week after Perez suffered a heartbreaking first-lap retirement at his home race in Mexico City, which only further mount🦹ed the pressure on him as he looks to retain his Red Bull seat for 2024.
“For Checo, a really great confidence boost, a really strong drive,” Horner told Sky.&nbs🃏p;
“Coming back past both Mercedes wit꧃h some good racing, good pace and good points for𓂃 him today.”
Horner added: “He’ll take a lot out of🗹 that. He’s starting a bit out of position because of the yellow flag [in Friday qualifying] tomorrow, but we know he has great pace.”
Perez admitted his “terrible sta🅺rt” made his life tougher and ultimately prevented him from challenging Norris for second place.
“It was not an easy one, I had a terrible start, 🌸ended up losing place to George. And then another place to Lewis into Turn 4,” he explained.
"From then on, I was fighting. I had to use my tyres a 🔯lot. And then I think I paid the price towards the end.
"Overall,🎀 it's been a good day. Good points there. But unfortunately, I think without the start we could have been a lot further up.
"The problem I had was that I couldn't manage. I had to push. And we know that this placeꦏ is very sensitive for that. It ended up costing us.”
The result, coupled with Lewis Hamilton’s slide down to seventh, sees Perez extend his advantage oꦬver the seven-time world champion to 24 points in their battle to secure runner-up spot in the drivers’ standings.
Perez will staꩵrt ninth, four places behind Hamilton, in Sund❀ay’s main grand prix.
"Obviously, it's important," he said about increasing the gap. "But it's more important🍷 to keep that momentum going now, w😼e had a very good day overall.
"Hopefully tomorrow, which is the main race, we can🐻 consolidate with a strong re🌠sult."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the w💖orld. Of🃏ten reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
