Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez has asserted that he continues to enjoy the unwavering support of team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko, despite enduring a challenging season in Formula 1.
After a strong start, which saw him secure two wins and finish as a runner-up twice in the opening five races, Perez’s championship aspirations took a hit following a crash during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Subsequently, he has failed to make the top-10 shootout in the last five races, while his teammate Max Verstappen has achieved five consecutive pole positions, opening up a sizeable 99-point lead in the drivers’ standings.
Amid mounting speculation about his future with the team, Perez expressed his indifference, stating, “I couldn’t care less about that.”
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The Mexican driver, with 13 years of experience in Formula 1, remains focused on rediscovering his form and enjoying the sport.
Speaking to Speedcafe, Perez assured that he has received reassurance from both Horner and Marko, saying, “I have full support from Helmut and Christian.
“The whole team is fully backing me.
“They know what I can do, they know my potential, and they’re fully behind me.”
Perez attributes his recent struggles to an increased sensitivity to the car, particularly during Saturday’s qualifying sessions when the fuel load is low.
Addressing the issue, he revealed plans to work with the team in the simulator, stating, “It’s something that I am going to be working on from Monday.
“We have some ideas, but we operate in such a small window of detail.
“We need a strong Saturday.
“The positive thing is that the pace is there on Sundays where, at the end of the day, the points are given.
“We just have to sort it out and have a clean weekend.”
When asked whether the car or his driving style was to blame, Perez took responsibility, stating, “It’s with my driving and how I’m approaching the Saturdays, how we’re doing it as a team.
“We just have to figure it out.”
Acknowledging the challenges posed by changeable conditions in recent qualifying sessions, he expressed confidence in finding a solution, saying, “I’m not too concerned.
“We just have to sort out the qualifying and we’ll be fine.
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“We’re making a lot of progress because the pace is there on Sundays, but it’s just the whole weekend overall.
“We’ve had a few bad weekends, but at the end of the day, it only matters where we finish in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s a long season still, and I fully believe I can get my season back on track.”