Christian Horner has revealed his best Red Bull team of all time, but many fans might not agree with his pick.
Horner has been at the helm of Red Bull since the team joined Formula 1 in 2005. Under his stewardship, the squad has clinched an impressive seven Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships, solidifying their status as a dominant force in the sport.
Red Bull has been a consistent favourite among bookmakers, but their era of dominance truly ignited under Christian Horner's leadership. The team has cultivated a reputation for attracting top-tier talent, with a roster of legendary drivers that has kept them in perpetual title contention.
Red Bull currently holds the second shortest odds for the Constructors' Championship, with McLaren emerging as their closest competitor. Their star driver, Max Verstappen, is the overwhelming favourite to clinch the Drivers' Championship title, according to the best betting sites available online.
Mark Webber retired in 2013, paving the way for fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo to join the team. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel departed for Ferrari at the start of the 2015 season. His replacement, Daniil Kvyat, would only hold the seat for a brief 17 months.
Verstappen, the young prodigy, was thrust into the Red Bull limelight when Kvyat was demoted. Partnered with the ever-smiling Ricciardo, the duo formed a formidable, if occasionally fiery, alliance. Together, they clawed back ground during Mercedes' golden era.
Red Bull faced a significant challenge when Daniel Ricciardo unexpectedly departed for Renault at the end of 2018. The team subsequently struggled to find a suitable teammate for Verstappen. Pierre Gasly was demoted mid-season, while Alex Albon's tenure lasted only a year and a half before he was replaced.
Sergio Perez has occupied the second driver role at Red Bull since 2021, a position known for its challenges. Despite facing inconsistency, he has been part of the team during Verstappen's three World Championships and Red Bull's consecutive Constructors' titles.
Horner is adamant that the current Verstappen-Perez pairing represents the strongest lineup Red Bull has ever assembled. While Perez has secured five Grand Prix victories, three pole positions, and 29 podium finishes during Verstappen's dominant era, Horner believes this impressive statistic only tells part of the story.
Horner's comments, made in 2023, have only recently surfaced and appear increasingly out of touch with the current situation.
Perez's inconsistent form this season has opened the door for McLaren to challenge Red Bull's dominance. With just 42 points separating the two teams heading into the final 10 races, the Constructors' Championship is wide open.
Given their current form, Red Bull are on course for a comfortable Constructors' Championship victory. However, a McLaren upset is still on the cards with only 42 points separating the two teams. The stakes are high for Red Bull, with a potential loss of nearly £8 million in prize money and disappointment for staff who rely on bonuses.
In the Disney+ documentary 'Checo Perez: Never Give Up', Horner discussed his current driver lineup, stating:
"It's probably the strongest pairing we've ever had in Red Bull Racing," he said.
While the Verstappen-Ricciardo partnership was undoubtedly strong, they were unfortunate to compete during Mercedes' dominance. On paper, the Vettel-Webber era boasts a superior record.
Verstappen is fast becoming a legend in his own right, aiming for the greatest of all time status, while Vettel's place in F1 history is already secured. Perez and Webber, though highly skilled, don't quite reach the same level.
The Dutch driver has made 80 appearances for Red Bull, compared to Webber's 129, which partly explains the Australian's superior win, pole, and podium record. However, it's crucial to remember that Webber's early years with the team were hindered by a less competitive car.
The Red Bull team enjoyed a relatively stable dynamic between Vettel and Webber, clearly defining their number one and number two drivers. In contrast, the situation surrounding Sergio Perez is far less secure.
There has been persistent speculation about his future, with pundits like Will Buxton suggesting a potential exit after the Mexico Grand Prix, which is Perez's home race.
Red Bull, however, has silenced rumours about Sergio Perez's future by confirming he will remain Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2025 season. The decision ends months of uncertainty surrounding the Mexican driver's position within the team.
Lewis Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari in 2025 triggered a domino effect in the driver market. Carlos Sainz's subsequent departure from the Italian team left him available for 2024.
Sainz's impressive start to the season, including a victory at the Australian Grand Prix as Red Bull struggled, prompted Christian Horner to consider external options for Verstappen's teammate.
But now it's confirmed that Perez will get the chance to reinstate his image as one of the best drivers in the world.
