Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has downplayed Lewis Hamilton’s assertion that Sergio Perez isn’t being supported by every individual within the Austrian side’s ranks.
Perez has endured a wretched season since triumphing in two of the first four races, dropping a seismic 251 points behind team-mate Max Verstappen in the standings.
That ongoing slump has invited repeated speculation throughout the campaign that the Mexican racer, who retains a contract for next year, could be replaced for 2024.
Prior to last weekend’s Mexico Grand Prix – where Perez retired after opening lap contact – Hamilton claimed that Red Bull weren’t fully helping its driver escape his current rut.
“I don’t think his team has been massively supportive of him, I wouldn’t say team, because there’s a lot of people, but one particular spokesperson has not been great in helping psychologically,” he addressed.
However, Horner has discarded Hamilton’s comment, also questioning the sincerity of it after the Briton previously questioned the strength of Verstappen’s team-mates.
“It’s very nice that Lewis has so much care and attention [for Perez] when he was questioning the validity of Max’s team-mate only a few weeks ago,” Horner remarked.
“But look, there’s always rumours that are circulating in this paddock, especially when there’s very little to write about.
“[Perez] has a great relationship with the team, a strong relationship with his team-mate, and we want to see him finish second in the championship, which is something we’ve never achieved before, to have a one-two.”
Despite speculation, Horner concurred with the Dutchman’s view that there is no rivalry between the two Red Bull team-mates.
“Well, first of all, I need to really disappoint you that there is no rivalry between the two drivers,” he outlined on Friday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“They actually get on very well, they’ve got on very well for three years. And whilst I’m sure the media would love them to be at each other’s throats, unfortunately for you guys, they aren’t, they work very well together, off track and on track, as we’ve seen on many, many occasions.”
While Perez exited the race at the end of the opening lap after a first-corner tangle with Charles Leclerc, Verstappen proceeded to notch a record-breaking 16th win of the year.
Horner commended the reception Verstappen received from the local fans amid concerns that the three-time World Champion could be booed in Mexico.
“He’s had a fantastic reception,” he added. “I have to applaud the Mexican fans for the support and sportsmanship they’ve shown this weekend, they’ve been brilliant. You heard the cheer when he went on the podium and the support they’ve given the whole team has been outstanding.”
