It’s no secret that rumours around Sergio Perez’s future within Red Bull have been swirling, with pressure mounting on the Mexican driver to improve his performances or face losing his seat.

In an F1 TV interview prior to Saturday’s qualifying session Horner reflected on Perez’s performance this season and what he had achieved with the team: “Nobody more than Sergio would say this year has been really disappointing for him, for the team and, you know that’s really tough because he’s been such a great team player the four seasons that he’s been with us.”

“I mean if you think back to this race in ’21, if you think ’22, ’23, the constructors’ championship that he contributed to and the five Grand Prix victories that he’s achieved in our cars,” Horner added, referencing the wins that Sergio had achieved in Baku (’21, ’23), Monaco (’22), Singapore (’22) and Jeddah (’23) in Red Bull machinery.

This interview signalled a tone shift in the way Horner has spoken about Perez and Red Bull’s lineup into 2025, moving to speak about Perez in the past-tense rather than maintaining that he is still under contract with the team.

While things on Horner’s and the management’s side have changed, Perez himself is confident in his chances at being on the grid for 2025. On media day in Abu Dhabi, he said:

“Nothing has changed since before in terms of what I’ve said for the entire year,” he said. “I got a contract for next year and I will be driving for Red Bull next year.”

Christian also spoke to the meeting with Red Bull’s chiefs that will reportedly take place on Monday in Abu Dhabi, extending this to now include a performance review for Perez: “I think after we get this race out of the way, we’ll sit down and reflect on the year and where and why it didn’t work out.”