Horner opens up on Red Bull call to extend Perez

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has asserted his confidence in his squad's driver line-up after extending Sergio Perez's deal.

Perez, who entered the current season on an expiring contract, will remain with Red Bull until at least the end of the 2026 season.

The new two-year deal will see Perez continue to partner Max Verstappen after the duo joined forces in 2021, when Perez replaced now-Williams driver Alex Albon.

The Mexican driver has won five grands prix since linking up with the Milton Keynes-based outfit and ended last year's championship second in the drivers' standings.

“Now is an important time to confirm our line-up for 2025 and we are very pleased to continue working together with Checo,” Horner said.

“Continuity and stability are important for the team and both Checo and Max are a successful and robust partnership, securing our first ever one-two finish for the team in the championship last year.”

Perez opened the season strongly with a run to a trio of second-place finishes in the opening four rounds.

However, the 34-year-old has struggled at the following two rounds from Omola and Monaco - but Horner has backed Perez to re-find his form.

“Checo has had a strong start to 2024 with second places in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Japan and then his podium in China,” he said. 

“The past few races have been tough, there is convergence on the grid, but we are confident in Checo and look forward to his return to proven form and performance, that we so often see. 

“Last year was a unicorn season and we will need to work hard to retain our titles, but we are assured in our line up and with the team as a whole, which is imperative in what is shaping up to be a close fought Championship this year.”