Christian Horner has recently revealed has Red Bull doesn’t have a number-one driver on the team. Even though Max Verstappen is regarded as the undisputed king of the Austrian team, it is not the case, the team principal has assured.
Speaking at an interview released by his team’s YouTube channel, Horner said that it’s great having both the drivers at the sharp end. This is exactly what a team principal wants as a team, and then one can pretty much become conscious about providing both drivers the same opportunities.
The British executive went on to say that there’s no number one driver decided in the team’s contract with the drivers. It has always been about what they do on the track. The Red Bull honcho added, “we are scrupulously fair” when it comes to providing both drivers with equal upgrades.
The team even maintains strict fairness for Sergio Perez, who’s pushing for the title, and Verstappen, who drives out of the garage first for qualifying sessions occasionally. Horner believes Red Bull isn’t a team when one driver is preferred over another.
There is greater respect between Perez and Verstappen than is shown
The relationship between the two Red Bull drivers is believed to have worsened after the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. A race where the Dutchman was seen refusing to let his teammate through and help him in his P2 chances in the constructors’ championships.
Later on, in 2023, the Mexican’s win in Saudi Arabia and the Dutch pilot’s unhappy P2 also added fuel to the fire. However, the former Racing Point driver has debunked all the rumors of late.
Mood, because 7 days left 🔜 #BakuGP pic.twitter.com/iL73eYKKrS
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) April 23, 2023
The 33-year-old shared this in a report published by Motorsport.com, “I’m here to do the best possible thing for myself as well [but] to be honest, we’ve got a lot more respect for each other than people might think out there.”
The Mexican believes he can battle the two-time world champion
Despite being the second strongest force in Red Bull to Verstappen in the last two years, Perez believes he can battle the two-time world champion in 2023. Having already picked up a win against the hardest driver to beat, the 33-year-old believes he is at par with the defending champion.
As per Sky Sports, the Red Bull pilot was asked if he could beat Verstappen and win the world championship, to which Perez replied, “Certainly.” He added that he’s now got a strong car, a strong package, feels comfortable in the car, and is heading in the right direction.
With three races down, the Mexican is in P2 with 54 points, having claimed a win, a pole position, and two podiums. He trails the Dutchman by 15 points, who’s in P1 with 69 points and two wins so far.
