Horner on Perez's reputation as tyre whisperer: 'That was a reset'

Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen are rivals in 2023. While Perez was still far behind the Dutchman in 2021 and 2022, the Mexican seems to have found a lot of speed this season. Perez was always known as a "tyre whisperer", but alongside Verstappen, this no longer seems to be the case, Christian Horner also sees.

Before switching to Red Bull Racing in 2021, Perez was known as a driver who was incredibly good with his tyres. Since 2022, however, the Mexican seems to have diminished somewhat in this regard. Last weekend in Miami, for example, Perez still had problems managing his tyres in the first stint.

'2022 a reset'

Red Bull team boss Horner thinks that since the introduction of the 18-inch rims in 2022, there has been a reset when it comes to tyre management. "I think that Checo, prior to these cars, had a very strong reputation in terms of how he managed those tyres. I think these cars reset that somewhat," Horner said at the press conference in Miami.

Verstappen raises the bar

Verstappen also has a reputation when it comes to tyre management and this was confirmed, for example, by his race in Mexico last year. Here, the Dutchman drove unexpectedly long on his medium tyres, with also incredibly consistent lap times. Horner thinks Verstappen set the bar last year when it comes to tyre management.

"I think Max actually set the bar on that last year. And of course, all the data is open and available between the two drivers and engineering teams. I think he's worked hard to understand how to create that longevity."