Horner: Perez still has Red Bull backing despite Mexico accident

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner still has confidence in Sergio Perez, following his disappointing Mexican Grand Prix.

Perez's race lasted until the run down into Turn 1, when he went three-wide with team-mate Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

The Mexican attempted to pass around the outside but made contact with Leclerc, causing his RB19 to be pitched into the air and landing with significant damage to the sidepods.

The damage forced him to retire for the second time this season following his nightmare Japanese GP, with his points advantage over Lewis Hamilton now 20 heading into the final three races.

Horner believes these three races in Brazil, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi must be Perez's main focus as Red Bull aims to secure a historic one-two in the Drivers' Championship.

"He's got three races now to convert that second place. There are 20 points between him and Lewis [Hamilton]," Horner told media, including RacingNews365.

"He's had some misfortune, some issues, but we still believe he can do it between now and the end of the year."

Speculation has been rife over whether Perez will be replaced due to his lack of consistency in the Red Bull, after Horner delivered a warning following his repeat failures.

When asked if his seat next year depends on getting the second place, Horner reiterated: "It's not as binding as that, you've got to look at the circumstances.

"Checo has an agreement with us for next year and that's our intention to get him to be in the car in 2024.

"We'll give him all the support that we can to ensure that he finishes second, but there's no prerequisite that if he doesn't finish second 'you're out'."