Horner clarified, “I am absolutely confident and clear that Checo (Perez) will be our driver next year.” He acknowledged that unforeseen circumstances, such as injuries, could alter plans, but reiterated the team’s intention to proceed with Perez.
The current F1 standings place Perez second with 258 points, trailing behind his teammate and reigning champion Max Verstappen, who has secured his third title with 524 points. Perez’s crash in Mexico City on October 29 raised questions about his future, especially with Horner’s use of the word “intention.”
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However, Horner emphasized the existing agreement with Perez for the next year, stating, “Checo (Perez) has an agreement with us for next year, and that’s our intention, for him to be in the car in 2024.”
Addressing rumors about Perez’s relationship with the team, Horner dismissed them as external “noise,” asserting that internally, everything is clear. Despite potential effects on Perez from the speculations, Horner expressed confidence in the driver’s resilience, noting, “I’m sure it does, but I think what we’ve seen with him, and one of his strengths, is he has a very thick skin.”
In conclusion, Horner affirmed the team’s support for Perez, emphasizing his ability to handle external pressures and bounce back from challenges.