Christian Horner Contradicts Sergio Perez’s Heavy Accusation on Tire Strategy; Claims Max Verstappen Would Have Won With Same Strategy

Tanish Chachra | 08/05/2023
Christian Horner Contradicts Sergio Perez's Heavy Accusation on Tire Strategy; Claims Max Verstappen Would Have Won With Same Strategy

After losing to Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez questioned the use of his tire strategy of starting on mediums and then changing to hard tires. Verstappen used the opposite strategy. Therefore, Perez said he’d get with his team and analyze what went wrong for him. However, Christian Horner contradicted Perez by claiming the Dutchman would have won even with the other strategy too.

“I think if he’d been on the other strategy as well, the performance would have been very similar today,” he said as per the Motorsport. “I think he was obviously frustrated with himself after quali, that he made a mistake, and then obviously didn’t get the chance to rectify that.”

Horner claims the Verstappen coming into the race was too confident. He wanted to try something different, and luckily it worked for him and gave him a thumping win.

Sergio Perez title fight sliding in a hopeless pit

The season’s first four races started with Verstappen and Perez winning two races each. Now, the result of the Miami Grand Prix has become a huge differential in their title fight, giving a slight edge of 14 points to the Dutchman.

So, Perez would have to win the next race by any means to keep himself clinging to the championship leader. Losing the next race could possibly put a nail in his championship dreams.

Though the season is long, there are 18 more races left, and if things go right, Perez can bounce back. But battling against one of the best drivers ever is never easy for someone who got his first championship opportunity in a career spanning over a decade.

Would Christian Horner let them fight?

Till now, Red Bull boss Horner has maintained that they would let the two drivers vying for the championship. However, Verstappen is already rated as a better driver. The Milton-Keynes-based team could avoid the inconvenience and prefer the Dutchman to clinch yet another title.

But since it’s not too late, Perez should plan his recovery and prove to Red Bull that he still can vie for the title. Considering Red Bull is so far ahead of the other teams. They have nothing to lose in this title beef between their drivers.

So, for once, they can let things be as it is. However, if Verstappen builds on from here, then what’s the point of letting them fight and risk picking repair bills amid the cost cap?

Post Edited By: Tanish Chachra
Christian Horner Max Verstappen Red Bull Sergio Perez

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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