Baku never seems to disappoint. In a year where realistically only two drivers are going to battle for the championship, the Baku Street Circuit had to deliver to keep the excitement up for the season. Be that as it may, even though the race didn’t have a lot of crashes and sparks, the Grand Prix did give us a sneak peek into what the season could look like with both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez going toe-to-toe at the same level and intensity.
Perez came out on top today as he took a commanding race victory. But the win in itself will have major ramifications for the title battle. Today, the Mexican showed us that he can outdo the Dutch Lion. However, this did come at a cost. While any team would gladly lap up a 1-2 finish, with a supposed rift amongst the ranks at Red Bull, today may have divided the team up even more. At the chequered flag, team boss Christian Horner brewed some serious controversy as he popped up on Verstappen’s team radio.
Karen Horner didn't get on radio to congratulate Perez but straight on radio to make sure baby max didn't spit his dummy out! Horrible horrible pair of twats! Would love to see checo do max for title !
— Stuart Butler (@Butsag1) April 30, 2023
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Everything aside, no one can question the authority Perez had over Verstappen in today’s race. Whether he can keep this intensity up for the rest of the season is another story. But what irked the fans was Horner diluting the credit Perez deserved for an amazing drive today.
Fans react as Christian Horner picks Max Verstappen over Sergio Perez
As soon as Horner came onto Verstappen’s radio and said what he had to, fans rushed to the social networking site, Twitter, to share their own reactions. One fan even commented, “As the @redbullracing team principal, Christian Horner is responsible for managing the team’s internal dynamics and fostering a positive working environment. Instead he is creating tensions between Max and Checo. What a shameful human being he is!“
Let’s take a look at just a few of the fan reactions to Horner’s viral comments.
Christian Horner is disgusting, ‘checco got lucky’ – outrageous attitude, can never be pleased for him, only max
— mia griffiths (@miagriffithsx) April 30, 2023
Horner saying Checo got lucky 😂. So Checo didn't drive flawlessly and Max couldn't even touch his wing all race? This team clearly have a driver 1 and driver 2 and anyone who denies it is insane. This is so disrespectful to Perez.
— Sheriri (@44hamsupremacy) April 30, 2023
Today, Sergio Perez was the better driver. There’s no doubt about it. After Nyck de Vries retired on track, a Safety Car was called. However, Red Bull had pitted Verstappen just a moment or two before it. Hence, while Verstappen lost out, his teammate took advantage of the slower mandated deltas to overtake his teammate in the pits. This is what Horner may have been referring to.
Horner just had to make a comment about the safety car to Max, couldn’t congratulate Perez on his own merit 🤡
— Molly (@mollyellen__) April 30, 2023
Horner saying Max deserved today's win is actually insane dick riding.
Max had the entire race to overtake Perez and just couldn't.
— Moe (@forzzacule) April 30, 2023
Horner apologising to Verstappen for Perez’s win. He’s a bad fucking worm him.
— Shorty (@KeithLFC6) April 30, 2023
Even though Perez pipped Verstappen under the Safety Car, he pulled out a lead afterward and kept it. Further, Verstappen was pitted in the first place as he complained of massive tire wear as compared to his teammate, who was on the same tire. This is why the fans thought Horner of being unfair.
I don’t hear Horner apologising to Perez when Verstappen wins a race. But over the radio he saying that Perez got lucky with the safety car. #AzerbaijanGP
— Donald Roberts (@D_GRoberts) April 30, 2023
Horner is so bias towards Max. It’s horrific to watch. Perez has had a great weekend and has won both races yet all Horner wants to do is tell Max “Perez was lucky with the safety car” #F1 #AzerbaijanGP #Formula1
— Chris Green (@Chris_Green1) April 30, 2023
Horner hardly on radio when Perez wins, but when Max wins he’s as excited a fan when a New Spice Girls tour being announced #Favorite #driver @CroftyF1 @SkySportsF1
— Scott Mitchell (@scottydogdart) April 30, 2023
Horner telling Max that Perez got lucky with the safety car when Perez was making a move on Max anyways 🙄
— Michael Kekana (@Michael_Kekana) April 30, 2023
It would appear that the team boss has taken sides in the championship fight.
As the @redbullracing team principal, Christian Horner is responsible for managing the team's internal dynamics and fostering a positive working environment. Instead he is creating tensions between Max and Checo. What a shameful human being he is! #F1 #AzerbaijanGP
— Thashika Dilmin (@ThashikaDilmin) April 30, 2023
Horner brown nosing Verstappen and commiserating him on the timing of the pit despite Perez’s outstanding drive gives me the ick. 🤢 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/Y9SjNoc7Wb
— Soph (@scward1991) April 30, 2023
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WATCH THIS STORY: Bromance moments between Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton
Christian Horner needs to climb out of Max’s arse. Perez clearly the better driver today yet he’s saying Perez got lucky with the safety car. Pathetic how this sport seems to revolve around one cocky jumped up weasel #f1 #AzerbaidjanGP
— Sherlock (@SherlockC83) April 30, 2023
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If the “bias” is true, things don’t look too good for Checo. But can the Mexican overcome all odds to become the 2023 F1 World Champion?