Christian Horner shares honest opinion on ‘regrets’ over not signing Carlos Sainz as…….read more
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner recently shared his thoughts on not signing Carlos Sainz as a replacement for Sergio Perez, despite the Spaniard’s impressive performances in recent years. In an interview with Sky Sports, Horner explained why he opted to extend Perez’s contract rather than pursue Sainz, acknowledging the decision was based on a combination of factors.
Horner expressed admiration for Sainz’s talent and performances, particularly in 2024, where he showcased his ability with consistent finishes. However, when Red Bull made the decision to extend Perez’s contract, the team principal emphasized that Perez was in strong form at the time. Perez had finished second in the World Championship and had secured podium finishes in four of the first five races of the season, which played a crucial role in the team’s decision to retain him.
Despite this, Horner admitted that the outcome of the season, with Perez finishing eighth in the final drivers’ standings, was far from ideal. Perez ended the 2024 season 138 points behind Sainz, a significant gap that raised questions about the Mexican driver’s performance relative to his teammate, Max Verstappen. Horner pointed out that the points deficit between Perez and Verstappen, who won the title by a dominant margin, ultimately impacted Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull finished third in the standings, and the large points disparity between their drivers was seen as a costly factor for the team’s overall performance.
Looking back, Horner noted the familiar feeling of “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve” when reflecting on team decisions, acknowledging the uncertainties that come with such choices. He explained that when the decision to keep Perez was made, it seemed justified given the strong start to his season. However, the subsequent drop-off in performance led to a disappointing end to Perez’s campaign, which affected the team’s overall championship pursuit.
The team’s strategy had been to build stability with Perez, but with hindsight, Horner recognized that the considerable points gap between the two Red Bull drivers may have had an adverse effect on their Constructors’ Championship ambitions. Horner’s comments reflect the complex dynamics at play within a top-tier team like Red Bull, where decisions are often shaped by immediate results, but long-term outcomes may prove to be more unpredictable.
Ultimately, Horner made it clear that while the decision to retain Perez was logical at the time, the disappointing performance in 2024 has led to a re-evaluation of Red Bull’s driver lineup for the future.
