Tensions appeared to boil over for Red Bull on the finish of the 2022 Formula One season, between drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez Jr. With Verstappen having already clinched the Drivers’ Championship, he was instructed to present method to his teammate close to the top of the Brazilian Grand Prix, as Perez was locked in a battle for second within the Championship with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen didn’t give manner, resulting in frustration from each drivers on the finish of the race. While the crew, in response to Team Principal Christian Horner, buried the hatchet earlier than the yr’s last race, questions nonetheless stay concerning the relationship between Verstappen and Perez.
Questions that surfaced once more when Verstappen talked just lately about how some drivers shouldn’t dwell in a “fairytale world.”
However, Horner believes the crew has performed an excellent job at placing the incident behind them. In a latest interview with Speedcafe TV, Horner addressed the incident at Interlagos, and spoke about his two drivers.
“I believe there’s sure issues that your drivers have the best to debate in non-public between themselves. Not each dialog must be lined by way of digital media and so forth. The drivers had an excellent dialog after the race in Brazil, the air was completely clear, you would see that by the point they’d arrived in Abu Dhabi, and I believe this has been an exceptional pairing for Red Bull.
“The success that they’ve achieved over the last couple of seasons, their joint performance achieving our first Constructors’ World Championship this year, the first in nine years, has been a remarkable performance by both of them and I’m sure moving forward, they’re going to be delivering as they have done the last couple of seasons.”
But the Red Bull boss additionally sang Perez’s praises. Asked about managing the connection between his two drivers, Horner talked at size about what Perez brings to Red Bull:
“They’re both pretty grown-up individuals and they both have an open relationship with each other. So when if ever there is an issue, it gets discussed, it gets put on the table and you talk it through. I think communication is always the best way to deal with any issue and you know, Sergio is an experienced guy, he’s been around a long time. He’s a very rounded guy and Max [is] very much a straight shooter as well, and the two of them have always, you know, enjoyed a decent relationship and I just see that continuing.”
Beyond the incident in Brazil, Horner additionally talked concerning the challenges posed through the 2022 season, beginning with how late within the 2021 yr the title was determined. Horner mirrored on how they “came late to the 2022 car,” and that Ferrari had essentially the most aggressive automotive early within the season. He gave credit score to Verstappen for conserving the crew in competitions in the beginning of the season, whereas the crew labored to improve the automotive every week.
The Red Bull boss additionally mentioned the return of Daniel Ricciardo to the crew, as a reserve driver for the 2023 season. “For him to play a supporting role to our race drivers as our third driver, both back here in the factory, and at events with all of our commercial partners we have, as one of the most recognizable faces currently in and around Formula One, for us it made a lot of sense.”
But Horner additionally brushed apart notions that Ricciardo can be returning to the grid for Red Bull anytime quickly, outlining how Ricciardo’s recognition within the United States is a large a part of his position with the crew. “…with the commercial demands that we have, the myriad of sponsors and partners that we have, particularly with a much bigger presence in the US where Daniel is now predominantly based, with three Grands Prix there next year, he’s gonna have a busy agenda for the season ahead.”
Still, the connection between the 2 drivers on the high of the crew will stay a spotlight for Red Bull, and the game, within the weeks and months forward. Horner asserts that the incident at Interlagos is actually performed and dusted, and the 2 drivers might be pulling collectively the upcoming season. And he has numerous proof to that time, as Perez has been a high quality teammate for Verstappen over the previous few seasons, and with Red Bull having gained their first Constructors’ Championship since 2013, issues did work final yr.
Yet there are nonetheless potential fault traces, together with latest feedback from Red Bull advisor, and former F1 driver, Helmut Marko. Marko just lately informed Road & Track that a part of his job is to inform Verstappen’s teammates that they can not beat him. In one other interview with Auto Motor und Sport Marko flatly said “Perez is a very good Formula 1 driver, but he is no Verstappen.”
Regardless of the place the connection actually stands proper now you’ll be able to guess that the media — in addition to the opposite groups — might be in search of any signal of a breakdown at Red Bull within the weeks and months forward as nicely.