08/11/2023 15:03 | by Mike van Weert
Christian Horner is very pleased with Sergio Pérez’s Grand Prix weekend. The Red Bull Racing driver narrowly lost an intense battle for third place against Fernando Alonso. Nevertheless, the Mexican has managed to regain his confidence in Horner’s eyes. This should provide him with a good basis for the last two races of the season.
Pérez has been looking for his form for weeks. The driver naturally wanted to find this again during his home race in Mexico, but it ended in a minor key. Horner saw a great race from the man from Guadalajara in Brazil. “I thought he drove brilliantly,” the team boss told Autosport. ‘He had a little moment in Turn 2, which allowed Fernando, who was quite fast on the straights, to make an attempt. However, he did his best to put a lot of pressure on him again.’
The battle with Alonso lasted until the very last meters of the Grand Prix. The Spaniard caught Pérez in Turn 4 on the very last lap and then had to defend the rest of the lap. The two-time world champion showed throughout the race that defense was not the problem at Interlagos, but Pérez did everything he could to get back at Alonso in the final kilometers. It ultimately resulted in a photo finish with a difference of 53 thousandths in Alonso’s favor.
Ultimately, a podium finish was not the most important thing for Pérez. The Red Bull driver had to finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton twice last weekend to increase his lead in the championship. ‘I think it was important for Checo to lead Hamilton with twelve points. It has been a very strong weekend for him. A third place in the sprint race and a fourth place in the main race after having to start from ninth place are very good points for him.’
Pérez back to basics
After the bad weekends, the question is what went differently for Pérez. ‘I think he’s gone back to basics. I think it was important for his self-confidence. This is the Checo we know, and we know what he can do.” The Mexican could be very competitive again this coming race weekend. ‘This result will give him just the boost he needs to go to Vegas. He always does well on a street circuit,” said Horner.
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