Christian Horner has confirmed that Sergio Perez will see out the season with Red Bull.

The Austrian team held talks on Monday to assess the Mexican's future, the day after Helmut Marko had appeared to give up on the driver, after he finished the Belgian Grand Prix a distant 8th (on track) despite starting from the front row.

"Sergio had the opportunity to take a good result from second place," Marko told Sky Germany. "Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Especially in the last stint, he completely collapsed, where he set 1:48 lap times. What looked so positive in qualifying unfortunately didn't materialise in the race."

The last time Perez stood on the podium was in China, while in the nine races that followed he amassed just 46 points compared to his teammate's 167, this at a time Red Bull has come under increasing pressure in both title fights.

Back-to-back crashes in Monaco and Canada weren't helped by the fact that he failed to get beyond Q1 at both events, failing to do so again at Silverstone and the Hungaroring.

Despite having Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda waiting in the wings, Horner has given his backing to Perez.

"Checo remains a Red Bull Racing driver despite recent speculation," said the Briton, according to numerous sources, "and we look forward to seeing him perform at tracks he has previously excelled at after the summer break."

While the Mexican seeks a complete re-set for the remaining races, Ricciardo and Lawson will be taking part in a test at Imola tomorrow (Wednesday), for what some are describing as a "shoot-out", however whether this is for the RB or Red Bull seat remains to be seen.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 01/08/2024 1:07

"Its bad news for Red Bull supporters but good news if you're a fan of Perez. Also good if one supports any other team at the sharp end of the grid because in that case it'd be good to know RB will be hobbled for the remainder of the season.

Rumor has it that Liberty pressured Horner and RedBull to keep Checo on after the summer break because LM were concerned about big revenue lost if there was no home-town hero lining up for the Mexican GP in October."

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2. Posted by FIRSTINTO 1, 31/07/2024 23:48

"What the heck is Red Bull thinking? Haven't they tortured themselves enough with Checo? The field has caught up to them and they are being outscored in the Constructors Championship week in and week out because of him. Next year it will be even worse because two teams are currently faster than them and they will start next year faster because Red Bull has lost Newey. What makes them think they can stay ahead of McLaren and Mercedes with Perez on board scoring minimum points? I don't know whose fault the decision is but it seems the situation is untenable for the team, points wise."

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3. Posted by Wokingchap, 31/07/2024 12:21

"@Simon in Adelaide & ffracer.... Bingo indeed !!"

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4. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 30/07/2024 16:26

"Next season will depend on the results of this season. If they can squeeze another Constructors than Perez is in the clear."

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5. Posted by ffracer, 30/07/2024 15:54

"Bingo, Simon in Adelaide.

Besides, if I were Horner, I wouldn't want another angry phone call from the Carlos Slim faction either. "

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6. Posted by Burton, 30/07/2024 13:10

"RedBull have always marketed themselves as being different and agitators, but with the animus of the founder gone, they're just another corporate hollow shell making non-racing influenced decisions. Kinda wonder if Max likes that environment long term."

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7. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 30/07/2024 10:53

"Of course he is.

No one else is going to come with the same amount of sponsorship that he does.

Talk about buying your seat. "

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Red Bull sticks with Perez

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