Christian Horner shares what Sergio Perez has to improve on ahead of 2024 F1 season

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Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has shared what Sergio Perez has to improve on during the 2024 Formula 1 season.

Horner was speaking to the Sky Sports F1 team and will be in very jubilant mood right now.

Red Bull have secured the Constructors’ Championship and a one-two in the Drivers’ Championship for the first time in their history.

Not only that, they technically came home first and second in Abu Dhabi today although that wasn’t how the results were classified.

Sergio Perez was handed a five-second penalty for making contact with Lando Norris, but Charles Leclerc let him through to try and help Ferrari overtake Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.

It’s been a very mixed campaign for Sergio Perez after such a positive start.

He was neck and neck with Verstappen after four races but hasn’t recorded a race victory since.

The Dutchman finished nearly 300 points ahead of his teammate which is simply extraordinary.

Christian Horner has now shared what improvements he wants to see from Perez going into 2024.

His seat at Red Bull has been under pressure and with his contract expiring next year, he needs to perform to prove he should remain at the club.

He’s undoubtedly quick, but that’s not enough anymore with so many top drivers not currently challenging for race wins and plenty of young drivers trying to break into the sport.

Horner tells Perez what he needs to do during 2024 season

Speaking about the Mexican star, Horner said: “I think the last few races he’s had a little bit of a reset. I think his pace when you look at the analysis through this weekend again was very, very strong.

“He’s just got to sort his Saturdays out. His race pace is there, his racecraft is fantastic, he’s probably overtaken more cars than anybody this year.

“But we just need him to be starting in the first four rather than ninth or tenth or wherever his average has been over the last few races.

“He’s still finished second in this world championship and had some great races and put in some great drives.

“But I think he knows where his areas to improve are. He needs a little bit of a reset in terms of how he goes about his racing next year as well.

“He knows it’s a big year for him and he’ll take a bit of time this winter to reflect on where he needs to improve and I’m sure he’ll come back fighting next year.”

As Horner alludes to, Perez has to step up his efforts in qualifying in 2024 if he wants to challenge Verstappen.

Too often Sunday has been a recovery job rather than challenging his teammate and closest rivals for victories.

While Perez battling his way through the pack is always entertaining, it’s not how Red Bull will want every race to go.

They would much prefer Perez and Verstappen battling for first and second, but that might not be as easy to achieve next year.