How Christian Horner reacted to Sergio Perez qualifying spin at British Grand Prix

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Sergio Perez needed a strong performance in qualifying for the British Grand Prix to try and quiet some of the noise around his Red Bull future. But now, it will be louder than ever.

Perez spun off midway through Q1 at Silverstone and will start Sunday’s race 19th on the grid. The only driver behind him will be Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who knew he’d start last as a result of engine penalties.

Qualifying began in intermediate conditions but the track quickly dried out. That meant the drivers came into the pits for a set of soft tyres, though there were inevitably still damp patches on the circuit.

Perez lost control of his RB20 on the approach to Copse corner and took to the run-off, which was still wet. That meant he couldn’t slow the car down and he slid into the gravel.

Teammate Max Verstappen and Haas driver Kevin Magnussen made similar mistakes later in the session but were able to maintain enough momentum to keep going. Perez, however, quickly became beached.

He asked over the team radio whether the marshals could push him back into the tarmac. Under the rules, however, a driver can take no further part in the session if they receive such assistance.

Christian Horner shakes his head after Sergio Perez off at British Grand Prix

It’s emerged this weekend that Perez could lose his seat despite signing a new contract, even before the season is out. The Mexican has only scored 15 points in the last five rounds, and those poor performances could potentially trigger an exit clause.

Red Bull executive director Helmut Marko says the team will make a decision during the summer break, making the British GP the first of three races to potentially save his drive. Team principal Christian Horner recently admitted that the ‘underdelivering’ 34-year-old was under ‘pressure’.

And after Perez brought out the red flags with his mistake, ESPN journalist Nate Saunders noted how Horner reacted. Understandably, he was ‘shaking his head’ at his driver’s third Q1 exit in five races.

Marko concedes that the former McLaren driver is ‘notoriously not so good’ on Saturdays. Perez has only started one race on the front four rows since Miami at the start of May.

Perez emerging as an option for two teams amid Red Bull sack rumours

Perhaps part of the reason that Red Bull are considering a change is that they’re coming under increasing threat in the constructors’ championship. Verstappen is still 81 points clear in the drivers’ despite the lack of support, but the Bulls could end up relinquishing their teams’ title.

While Ferrari have struggled in recent races, Horner will be aware that McLaren and the improving Mercedes have both closed up. If Perez can’t escape his current rut – and it’s becoming deeper with each race – then it won’t be long before their margin (currently 64 points) is looking precarious.

A couple of midfield teams will have taken note of the current situation. Williams and Audi have been named as potential contenders for his signature if he becomes available.

Perez has previously excelled in that kind of environment. He won his first race for Racing Point in 2020 and scored 10 podiums before he had a frontrunning car.