Christian Horner has defended Sergio Perez following the Mexican driver was criticized by Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko. The basic criticism was actually from the director!
Marko accused Perez of going early in “summer vacation fashion” amid a series of disappointing performances.
“I made a joke to Helmut the other day, I said, ‘I think Checo has already gone on vacation’…and he went and told everyone,” admits Horner today.
Horner was keen to salute Perez’s run in Hungary, following he crossed the finish line in fifth place. A rather distant place from the victory obtained by Max Verstappen but Horner is convinced that Perez would have been easily on the podium without the late intervention of the virtual safety car following a pit stop by Valtteri Bottas.
“Look at Checo’s run in the second half. Without that VSC, he would have been on the podium in the closing stages to pass George Russell and Carlos Sainz. He was coming very, very fast on them thanks to his tyres.”
“Checo was also fantastic, he had a different strategy, he let Max get straight into the back wing of Charles Leclerc so he didn’t waste time and might get past him.”
“He needs to recharge his batteries in the summer break, understanding what hasn’t gone well for him in the last two races is necessary, he will come back stronger from Spa.”
