Christian Horner rules out replacing Sergio Perez with ‘very good’ driver for the 2025 F1 season

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Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner is well aware of the difficult decision he faces sooner rather than later.

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was the perfect example of the gulf in quality between Red Bull’s two drivers.

Max Verstappen produced one of the finest victories of his career to all but secure a fourth consecutive world championship.

Bernie Ecclestone compared Verstappen to Michael Schumacher after the race, a driver who not only has the joint-most titles in F1 history but also earned the nickname ‘Rainmaster’ for his performances in the wet.

Unfortunately, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez didn’t produce the same level of performance.

Perez angered Liam Lawson on his way to scoring a point in Saturday’s Sprint Race before spinning in Sunday’s Grand Prix and once again failing to add to his tally.

Christian Horner will recognise that Perez isn’t performing to the standards expected of a Red Bull driver, as their current position in the Constructors’ Championship proves.

They sit third behind McLaren and Ferrari will little prospect of making up that gap while Perez is in the car.

In an interview with TalkSPORT, Horner was asked by journalist Jim White about the prospect of Red Bull poaching Carlos Sainz from Williams before he even makes his debut for the team.

The Red Bull team principal categorically ruled out that move but failed to guarantee that the Mexican would be on the grid in 2025 in one of his cars.

Christian Horner rules out replacing Sergio Perez with Carlos Sainz

Horner was asked about Perez’s future and said: “Well look, Formula 1 as we know is a results-based business and Sergio is very, very aware of that and he’s not happy with how this season has gone for him as you would expect.

“He’s big enough and old enough and wise enough to recognise that but our focus is very much still on the Constructors’ Championship as well and we need Sergio to be up there scoring in these last three races if we’re to have any chance of challenging either Ferrari or McLaren.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

White then asked Horner about the reports linking Red Bull with Sainz and he continued: “Well look, I mean there’s always plenty of speculation in the Formula 1 paddock and Carlos Sainz is going to be a Williams driver next year.

“He’s a great driver, had a big win in Mexico recently and I think he’ll be very good for that team.”

Horner was then asked if it was a move he would consider and confirmed: “Carlos Sainz? No, Carlos is committed to Williams and he wouldn’t form part of our plans for next year.”

Sergio Perez under threat from Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson for Red Bull seat

Horner was seen leaving the Williams hospitality unit in Brazil reportedly talking about Sainz’s future, however, judging by his latest answer, he’s likely to have received a categorical no from team principal James Vowles.

However, there are a couple of other drivers on Red Bull’s radar who could potentially replace Perez.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Liam Lawson has been touted for a Red Bull promotion as he currently tries to earn himself a contract for next season at RB.

He outscored Perez again in Brazil, although Yuki Tsunoda scored the most points out of the RB pair.

Red Bull have also been linked with Franco Colapinto who knows he won’t have a seat at Williams because of Sainz’s arrival.

Colapinto didn’t have the best weekend in Sao Paulo and that might put Horner off bringing the young Argentinian straight into the top team, however, a move to RB may make more sense.