Christian Horner has denied Sergio Perez's claim that he raced with an older specification floor compared to Max Verstappen at the US Grand Prix in Austin.
While Verstappen saw clear gains with Red Bull's latest car updates, Perez hinted at a possible equipment difference, suggesting he may not have benefitted from the new 2024 floor in the same way.
"I had a hard time getting traction in the slow corners," Perez explained. "In general, we didn't have the consistency, and I think there is some delta in the floor between the cars as well, but I don't know how big it is, because maybe we arrived at the weekend thinking it was much smaller than it actually was."
However, Red Bull team boss Horner quickly dismissed this suggestion, stating, "Both cars had the developments."
Amid these denials, Perez's performance struggles continue to place his future at Red Bull under scrutiny. The Mexican driver has consistently asserted that he will be with the team in 2025, pushing back against ongoing rumors that he could announce his retirement this weekend at his home race in Mexico.
Yet, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has made it clear that the battle between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson at Red Bull's junior team could impact who takes the second seat alongside Verstappen next year.
"Perez may have a contract," said Marko to f1-insider.com, "but Formula 1 is a performance-based society. If the performance isn't right, contracts are useless. At the end of the season, we will sit down together and then decide who is the best teammate for Verstappen at Red Bull."
Marko hinted that Lawson, having replaced the axed Daniel Ricciardo at RB, is showing strong potential. "After the race in Austin, Lawson is wearing the yellow jersey," Marko said with a smile.
He further added to Osterreich newspaper: "We'll watch him for a few more races and then we'll evaluate him."
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher also weighed in, suggesting that Red Bull should make a change. "I don't mean it personally, but I think Sergio Perez's time is over. Red Bull should react. Liam Lawson has already shown what he is capable of in Austin. If he continues like this, there will be no getting around him."
However, as for the rumors of Perez potentially announcing his retirement in Mexico, Marko remained unconvinced. "I am not aware of any thoughts of retirement in him. Nothing has been decided yet."
