JUST IN: Christian Horner issues clear penalty verdict in…. Perez v Sainz crash in Baku. Read more
Christian Horner issues clear penalty verdict in…. Perez v Sainz crash in Baku. Read more
Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull, has expressed his frustration following a collision between Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz during the closing stages of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident occurred on the penultimate lap, which cost Perez a likely podium finish. Horner has called for a penalty to be imposed on Sainz, stating that he would be “very disappointed” if the Ferrari driver escapes punishment for the crash.
Perez, who had been aiming for his first podium since the Chinese Grand Prix, found himself in a tight battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the final laps. As the duel unfolded, Sainz joined the fray and attempted to overtake Perez after Leclerc’s stern defense. Both drivers were poised for a drag race coming out of Turn 2, with Perez looking likely to come out ahead. However, the two cars collided, sending Perez into the wall and ending his hopes of a top-three finish.
Horner’s frustration was evident as he addressed the media in Baku, saying, “From what I’ve seen, I would have expected a penalty for causing that kind of incident. I’d be very disappointed if Sainz doesn’t receive some form of penalty.” The Red Bull boss believes the collision not only cost Perez a podium but possibly even a race win, given how the race had unfolded up until that point.
Reflecting on Perez’s performance, Horner praised his driver for a strong race weekend. He noted that Perez had the pace to potentially win the race, but he was held back by time lost behind Alex Albon and Lando Norris earlier in the race. Despite being on fresh tires, Perez struggled to pass Norris, who held him up and allowed Oscar Piastri to maintain track position.
“I think without being held up, Checo would have passed Leclerc and potentially won the race,” Horner said. “It’s hugely frustrating because he deserved to be on the podium at the very least.”
Horner also reviewed the collision between Perez and Sainz, providing his analysis of the incident. He pointed out that Sainz appeared to move left intentionally, knowing Perez was there. Using Sky F1’s SkyPad, Horner demonstrated how Sainz looked in his mirror and gradually drifted to the left, causing the collision. “Checo didn’t move left or right. It’s clear from the reference points that Sainz drifted left deliberately,” Horner added.
The crash caused significant damage to Perez’s car, with Horner noting that three corners of the car, along with the floor and bodywork, were affected. He expressed concerns about the damage, especially with the team needing to prepare the car for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. “It’s everything you don’t want to have to fix when the cars are being freighted to Singapore,” Horner said.
Despite the disappointment, Horner commended Perez for his performance throughout the weekend. Perez, who had been struggling with form in the middle part of the season, delivered a solid race and was in contention for the win. “Checo drove a very strong weekend, and he had great pace throughout the race,” Horner said. “It’s a shame he didn’t get the podium he deserved, and it’s been costly in terms of Constructors’ points and crash damage.”
The incident has significant implications for the Constructors’ Championship, as McLaren capitalized on Red Bull’s misfortune. With McLaren securing the victory, they now lead the Constructors’ standings by 20 points, moving ahead of Red Bull. Horner acknowledged the setback, but remained optimistic about the team’s chances in the next race.
The FIA stewards are currently investigating the collision, and the outcome could result in a grid penalty for Sainz at the Singapore Grand Prix, as Red Bull looks to bounce back and regain their position at the top of the standings.
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