Christian Horner denies preferential treatment for Max Verstappen over Sergio Perez: We give both best opportunity

Red Bull will ensure Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen battle for the Formula One World Championship on an even basis and without favouritism, says team principal Christian Horner. After two races of the 2023 season, the two drivers have one win each to their names, Verstappen triumphing in Bahrain before Perez claimed victory in Saudi Arabia.

Ad Watching Red Bull secure back-to-back one-twos in the opening pair of races was an ominous sign for the rest of the grid, and the closest competition on track this season could well be between the two team-mates. Australian Grand PrixRain causes unknowns at Australian Grand Prix as Alonso tops FP210 HOURS AGO Perez said ahead of the Australian Grand Prix that when he arrived at the team in 2021, Red Bull “were going racing with two cars because they had to”, but added that he now feels he's “well respected” and that he “will have every opportunity as much as Max”.

Horner dismissed any suggestion that Red Bull were ever a one-car team, and ensured equal competition. “That is the first I have heard of him (Perez) saying that," Horner said to Sky Sports.

«We have always run two cars since we entered the sport in 2005 and we always want to have the best two drivers we can in the car. Mercedes ‘will take a year’ to catch Red Bull, says Hamilton 'Physically limited' Verstappen felt like he was 'missing a lung' at Saudi GP 'We need better results here' — Verstappen knows Red Bull can improve at Melbourne “I think it is great to see Checo doing a great job now.

In 2021, he came into the car off the back of the Covid season and at the end of a set of regulations and he struggled with that car. »Last year, he was definitely more at home in the car and two of our 17 victories he achieved.