Horner issues performance warning to Perez

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner has revealed that even though his driver Sergio Perez has signed a long-term extension to his contract with the Milton Keynes squad, he could be replaced if he underperforms.

Just like other drivers that have been in the second seat with the team, such as Pierre Gasly, Horner confirmed that Perez needs to keep up a strong performance alongside his championship leading teammate, Max Verstappen, to secure his position.

This means that for the next two seasons, drivers in the Red Bull junior program may have to wait longer for a drive with the main team, and Horner fully understands how frustrating it must be for them.

Perez 'not getting any younger', says Horner

"Well, obviously by taking up that option on Sergio for the next couple of years, it locks out the seat unless he absolutely doesn't deliver for whatever reason, in 2023, or beginning of '24, so for somebody like Pierre Gasly, that's incredibly frustrating, or Alex [Albon] because it's locked out that seat," Horner told the Cambridge Union.

However, even if he can't guarantee a drive in the main team because Perez is performing as expected, Horner has confirmed that the team will do everything in their power to keep their junior drivers in the sport.

"What we'll do is try and assist to keep them in Formula 1 so that we still have the ability to look at their talent and see how that's emerging," said Horner.

"Because Sergio is not getting any younger, he's 32 years of age now, and this may well be the last contract he signs."