F1 fans are hopeful that the addition of Sergio Perez to Red Bull will make them more competitive and potentially give us a season-long battle for the Championship, as opposed to Mercedes running away with it.
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Max Verstappen is expected to continue to be Red Bull’s number one driver, with Perez serving as a strong rear-gunner.
However, team principal Christian Horner has said this isn’t a certainty and Perez will be free to make his case to become their number one driver.
“The first is the one who drives in front,” Horner said this week.
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“That has been the case for years. It has been that way for years. They get the same car and the same opportunities,” he added.
Red Bull announced Perez as Alex Albon’s replacement in December, following the British-Thai driver having a lacklustre season and being comprehensively outpaced by Verstappen.
Commenting on Perez’s integration into the team, Horner said “Checo’s coming along nicely” and described him as “very experienced” and “a great guy”.
“The two drivers get along well and I think he adds something to the team, which is positive,” Horner added.
“Max and he work well together, they make a good combination.”
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