Upon Perez’s return to Suzuka for the first time since one of his most disappointing events of the 2023 campaign, Horner was particularly intrigued by the Mexican’s performance.
While Perez’s best qualifying performance in Japan was a fourth place on the grid in 2022, Horner offered to pay a big gamble if his driver could move to the front row of the grid.
Perez did as he should and ultimately missed out on beating teammate Max Verstappen to pole position by just 0.066 seconds.
When Horner came to pay, Perez admitted he had struck a separate deal with former F1 supremo Ecclestone – so the money had to go straight to him.
Speaking about what happened, Horner said: “I had a bet with him [Perez] to put him on the front row, because his best performance in qualifying had been a 4th place here.
“But somehow, after he won the bet, he told me he owed Bernie Ecclestone exactly the same amount of money. So he relayed that to Bernie, who was the top beneficiary of Checo.
“So dear old Bernie keeps making money without even being there.”
While the front row betting situation amused Horner, he was full of praise for the offensive dynamism Perez displayed throughout the race, which included some courageous overtakes in 130R.
Horner added: “Checo in particular had a good weekend, qualifying here a tenth behind his teammate.
“His race pace was strong and he obviously had the disadvantage of having to get back into traffic.
“And there were a few moments where I have to admit I had my eyes closed as he entered the 130R. [I thought], ‘do you have to do it there? Can’t you wait for the straight line?
“He didn’t look like he had three kids when he made that move.”
Perez’s strong start to the campaign has increased his chances of securing a new contract to remain at Red Bull in 2025, with his current contract expiring later this year.
Horner said Perez just needs to keep doing what he’s doing to help secure his spot.
“I think his confidence is high,” Horner added. “He is very focused on the work to be done and he is comfortable in the team.
“He knows he’s at the end of his contract for next year, so it’s his place to lose. He is very popular in the team and he has started the season in the best possible way.
Upon Perez’s return to Suzuka for the first time since one of his most disappointing events of the 2023 campaign, Horner was particularly intrigued by the Mexican’s performance.
While Perez’s best qualifying performance in Japan was a fourth place on the grid in 2022, Horner offered to pay a big gamble if his driver could move to the front row of the grid.
Perez did as he should and ultimately missed out on beating teammate Max Verstappen to pole position by just 0.066 seconds.
When Horner came to pay, Perez admitted he had struck a separate deal with former F1 supremo Ecclestone – so the money had to go straight to him.
Speaking about what happened, Horner said: “I had a bet with him [Perez] to put him on the front row, because his best performance in qualifying had been a 4th place here.
“But somehow, after he won the bet, he told me he owed Bernie Ecclestone exactly the same amount of money. So he relayed that to Bernie, who was the top beneficiary of Checo.
“So dear old Bernie keeps making money without even being there.”
While the front row betting situation amused Horner, he was full of praise for the offensive dynamism Perez displayed throughout the race, which included some courageous overtakes in 130R.
Horner added: “Checo in particular had a good weekend, qualifying here a tenth behind his teammate.
“His race pace was strong and he obviously had the disadvantage of having to get back into traffic.
“And there were a few moments where I have to admit I had my eyes closed as he entered the 130R. [I thought], ‘do you have to do it there? Can’t you wait for the straight line?
“He didn’t look like he had three kids when he made that move.”
Perez’s strong start to the campaign has increased his chances of securing a new contract to remain at Red Bull in 2025, with his current contract expiring later this year.
Horner said Perez just needs to keep doing what he’s doing to help secure his spot.
“I think his confidence is high,” Horner added. “He is very focused on the work to be done and he is comfortable in the team.
“He knows he’s at the end of his contract for next year, so it’s his place to lose. He is very popular in the team and he has started the season in the best possible way.