Is Perez-Verstappen as Good as the Ricciardo-Verstappen Partnership? Christian Horner Thinks So

The second seat at Red Bull has been a matter of huge controversy for a long time, with no driver being able to match Max Verstappen even after being given the same car. Sergio Perez joined the team at the start of the 2021 season and Christian Horner believes that Perez and Verstappen are “up there” with the very best that Red Bull has had.

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Verstappen-Perez partnership is up there with the best

When asked about where the partnership ranks in the history of team-mates driving for Red Bull, Christian Horner told Sky Sports F1 “It is up there.”

“There was always a good dynamic with Daniel, also Alex last year there was never any issues but Sergio knows what the objectives are for these remaining seven races and one of those key objectives is having him as close to the front as we can possibly get him.”

Sergio Perez made a return to the podium at the Istanbul Circuit after having been absent from the top three in every race since the French Grand Prix.

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Horner commented, “He should have been on the podium in Monza, he could have been on the podium in Sochi.”

“He is going to play a key role in the constructors’ championship and of course, both he and Valtteri are going to play a key role as well potentially in the Drivers’ [Championship].”

Red Bull’s cursed second car

After Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull for Renault, the team took in Pierre Gasly to partner up with Max. It was quite a failure, and so they replaced him with Albon. Even though Albon was a tad bit better than Gasly behind the Red Bull wheels, he still couldn’t extract everything that could have been extracted from the car.

At the beginning of the 2021 season, Albon was replaced by Sergio Perez. The team authorities chose him for being Verstappen’s wingman and for helping him clinch the Drivers’ Championship title.

Throughout the season, Perez and Verstappen have created a strong bond with the latter backing the former in spite of some tough races through the year.

It is quite evident that Perez needs to perform at the best of his abilities to help both Verstappen and Red Bull realize their dream of claiming the highest throne of Formula One. With only a few races left in the 2021 calendar, how far will the Perez-Verstappen duo take their team in the title fight against Mercedes? That remains to be seen.