Formula 1 Mexican GP
Horner: Perez found confidence with Red Bull car since summer break
Sergio Perez is providing Red Bull with “exactly the kind of performance we were hoping for” after building his confidence since Formula 1’s summer break, according to Christian Horner.
Luke Smith Jonathan Noble
Edited: Nov 11, 2021, 6:04 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After joining from Racing Point for the 2021 season, Perez initially struggled to get up to speed with the tricky Red Bull RB16B as he worked to adjust his driving style to the car.
But the Mexican driver has enjoyed a surge in form lately, scoring three consecutive podium finishes to draw Red Bull to within a point of Mercedes at the top of the constructors’ championship.
Perez put in one of his best displays of the year to finish third in Mexico last Sunday, narrowly losing out to Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton in a late fight for second place.
Speaking after the race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Red Bull team boss Horner praised Perez for how he had built up his confidence and lifted his performances.
“He's found his confidence in the car,” Horner said.
“It’s really come since after the summer break. I think his performances have got stronger and stronger, and so has his confidence.
“He's found that confidence now. He's driving very well and he's putting in exactly the kind of performance that we were hoping for.”
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Perez became the third driver in as many seasons to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull when he was drafted in for 2021 to replace Alex Albon.
Albon and his predecessor, Pierre Gasly, had also struggled with the characteristics of the Red Bull car, which are more tailored to Verstappen’s driving style.
Asked why Perez had lacked confidence initially at Red Bull, Horner said: “I think it was just a very new style of car, concept of car and feeling from the car, and obviously surroundings.
“It's just taken a while to dial into that, and he's managed to work it out.”
Read Also:
- The new F1 brake duct tweaks that show Red Bull is still pushing
- Mercedes explains tow plan for Hamilton into Mexico Turn 1
- F1 reveals new hybrid branding set for introduction in Brazil
Red Bull has managed to reduced a 36-point deficit to Mercedes in the standings down to just a single point in the last two races thanks to Perez’s podium finishes, leaving the team with a chance to claim its first constructors’ title since 2013.
As pleased as Perez was with his result on home soil, he felt Red Bull had to still understand “what went so wrong” in qualifying when the team lost out to Mercedes after dominating prating.
“All of a sudden it swung around, and Mercedes was a very strong force,” Perez said.
“There are still four races to go, things are getting really tight.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article GPDA questions sausage kerbs after Austin injuries
Next article F1 freight delays not set to impact Brazil weekend schedule
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1 Jul 22, 2025
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1 Apr 19, 2023
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1 Feb 18, 2023
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez to skip F1 Mexico GP fan forum due to illness
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
14 d
Sergio Perez to skip F1 Mexico GP fan forum due to illness
Sergio Perez praises Colton Herta impact - but has no say over 2027 Cadillac F1 team-mate choice
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
14 d
Sergio Perez praises Colton Herta impact - but has no say over 2027 Cadillac F1 team-mate choice
The 10 key moments that defined Sergio Perez's F1 career
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
15 d
The 10 key moments that defined Sergio Perez's F1 career
More from
Red Bull Racing
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
Formula 1 12 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Latest news
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
General
Misc General 1 h
Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland win LeMullets 2026 in epic finish
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
7 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
8 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe