Sergio Perez emerged victorious in a thrilling wager against Christian Horner, delivering an impressive performance at Suzuka. The Red Bull team had a remarkable weekend, bouncing back from a disastrous Australian GP with a front-row start and a second-place finish in the race. During the qualifying session in Japan, Perez and the Team Principal engaged in a bet, which the Mexican driver ultimately won. Horner later revealed an intriguing detail about the entire episode.
The bet revolved around Perez’s performance in qualifying, with both individuals wagering on his ability to secure a front-row start for the main race in the Japanese GP. The 34-year-old driver’s exceptional display allowed him to claim victory in the bet. Horner even mentioned the situation over team radio, expressing his disappointment at losing money to Perez after the race.
Following the conclusion of the race, Horner reflected on the bet. The 50-year-old stated that Perez owed the same amount of money to former F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone, presumably due to a previous incident. Despite not being involved in the sport anymore, Ecclestone still managed to profit from the bet.
Sergio Perez’s performance in the 2024 season has been consistently strong. However, a late-season slump akin to his disappointing 2023 campaign could once again jeopardize his future at Milton Keynes. The 34-year-old driver must remain vigilant and maintain a high level of performance to secure his seat beyond 2024. Horner expressed confidence in Perez, stating that he was currently comfortable in the team and performing well.
In addition, Horner hinted at Perez’s contract with Milton Keynes, which is set to expire at the end of the year. With the Mexican driver fully aware of his situation, Horner noted that Perez’s position was not guaranteed. Nevertheless, the Red Bull team boss acknowledged that Perez had started the season in an exceptional manner. Previously, Horner had mentioned that there were at least 16 drivers vying for a chance to race for Milton Keynes.
Therefore, Sergio Perez must continue to perform at a high level and match the team’s expectations throughout the season. Red Bull has provided both drivers with ample opportunities to secure victories in the 2024 season. Perez must maximize the potential of the dominant RB20 car and establish early security over his Red Bull seat for 2025.