Red Bull will prioritise Sergio Perez and the 2022 Constructors’ Championship for the remainder of the Formula 1 season, team principal Christian Horner has stated.
The Red Bull boss also hailed his new double world champion, after a confused Max Verstappen claimed the 2022 Drivers’ Championship in confusing fashion at the time-limited 2022 Japanese Grand Prix.
“Focus quickly turns to the constructors side of the table, and Checo securing that second place in the championship,” Horner told the media.
“Max is in the form of his life, he’s driving incredibly well and the team’s working at an exceptionally high level.
“The strength and depth that we have throughout the organisation is immense and we’re just very proud of him, the team and obviously we’ll enjoy this moment.”
High point for Horner
Aside from Verstappen, Horner said he thought the whole team was operating at its highest level yet.
Led by Adrian Newey, it’s the third different era of technical regulations that the team has won in after Sebastian Vettel‘s four titles from 2010 to 2013 and last season’s triumph for Verstappen.
Newey was also at McLaren when Mika Hakkinen won two world championships in 1998 and 1999, and the team also claimed a constructors’ title.
Red Bull look set to repeat that feat as they boast a 165-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship and will win their first title since 2013, if they keep a 147-gap to Ferrari leaving the 2022 US Grand Prix.
But Horner was keen to stress there was more to the team than just Newey, namedropping Technical Director Pierre Wache, Head Aerodynamicist Enrico Balbo, Chief Designer Craig Skinner and Head of Performance Engineering Ben Waterhouse.
“I think Adrian and the whole technical team – Pierre, Enrico, Craig, Ben Waterhouse, I think this is the strongest technical team we’ve ever had,” Horner said.
“And I think that’s testimony to the hard work that goes in behind the scenes that has delivered this kind of performance.”
SPEND SPEND SPEND….what’s the worst that can happen…sweet FA by the looks!