Perez has had a good start to the year with three podiums in four races, all second behind Verstappen.
These performances have strengthened his position within the team, which is debating whether to renew the Mexican’s expiring contract or bring in new blood for 2025 and beyond, with numerous free agents on the market for the year next.
Last year, Perez appeared to struggle to live up to his own expectations of being able to match Verstappen, with two early victories sparking early world title aspirations.
But Horner felt Perez was adjusting his mindset for this season, no longer focusing on what Verstappen is doing, making him more relaxed behind the wheel.
“You tend to overlook him, but he does a great job,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.
“He has approached this season with a new state of mind, he is relaxed, he drives the car very well.
“He is not focused on his teammate, it is a different approach and in the first five races we have seen a very good performance from him.
“He is driving well, his confidence is growing and I hope he can convert that into another good result tomorrow.”
Horner added that Perez was responding well to the pressure of fighting for his future with the team after his winter reset.
“He is an important part of the team and it’s about working collectively. I think he has great technical support around him and the team does a good job,” he explained.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, 2nd position, embraces Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing for the celebration at Parc Fermé
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“He feels comfortable in the team. He knows he is out of contract at the end of this season and he is driving for his future.
“He responds to pressure in the best way possible and I think we see that with some drivers in the way they react to pressure while others wilt sometimes.
“He’s changed some things in his approach and I think he’s driving very well.”
Perez qualified second for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix after nearly being eliminated in Q1, with Horner admitting the team was lucky as it was decided Perez would attempt to qualify for Q2 with a game of worn tires.
“The track was changing quickly and in hindsight we probably should have used a new set of tires, but we were stacking them for later in qualifying and the track was ramping up,” he said.
“It seems like it was perfect judgment, but we were a little lucky to put it in bounds.”
Perez has had a good start to the year with three podiums in four races, all second behind Verstappen.
These performances have strengthened his position within the team, which is debating whether to renew the Mexican’s expiring contract or bring in new blood for 2025 and beyond, with numerous free agents on the market for the year next.
Last year, Perez appeared to struggle to live up to his own expectations of being able to match Verstappen, with two early victories sparking early world title aspirations.
But Horner felt Perez was adjusting his mindset for this season, no longer focusing on what Verstappen is doing, making him more relaxed behind the wheel.
“You tend to overlook him, but he does a great job,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.
“He has approached this season with a new state of mind, he is relaxed, he drives the car very well.
“He is not focused on his teammate, it is a different approach and in the first five races we have seen a very good performance from him.
“He is driving well, his confidence is growing and I hope he can convert that into another good result tomorrow.”
Horner added that Perez was responding well to the pressure of fighting for his future with the team after his winter reset.
“He is an important part of the team and it’s about working collectively. I think he has great technical support around him and the team does a good job,” he explained.
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing, 2nd position, embraces Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing for the celebration at Parc Fermé
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“He feels comfortable in the team. He knows he is out of contract at the end of this season and he is driving for his future.
“He responds to pressure in the best way possible and I think we see that with some drivers in the way they react to pressure while others wilt sometimes.
“He’s changed some things in his approach and I think he’s driving very well.”
Perez qualified second for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix after nearly being eliminated in Q1, with Horner admitting the team was lucky as it was decided Perez would attempt to qualify for Q2 with a game of worn tires.
“The track was changing quickly and in hindsight we probably should have used a new set of tires, but we were stacking them for later in qualifying and the track was ramping up,” he said.
“It seems like it was perfect judgment, but we were a little lucky to put it in bounds.”