Perez loved a strong begin to the yr with three podiums in 4 races, all runner-up spots to Verstappen.
These performances have strengthened his place inside the crew as it’s weighing up whether or not to resume the Mexican’s expiring contract or herald new blood for 2025 and past, with loads of free brokers in the marketplace for subsequent yr.
Final yr, Perez appeared to wrestle below his personal expectations of having the ability to match Verstappen, with two early wins igniting early world-title aspirations.
However Horner felt Perez adjusting his mindset for this season, by not being targeted on what Verstappen is doing, has made him extra relaxed behind the wheel.
“You guys generally tend to write down him off however he’s doing a fantastic job,” Horner advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“He has come into this season with a brand new mind set, he’s relaxed, he’s driving the automobile rather well.
“He’s not targeted on his team-mate, it’s a completely different method and within the first 5 races we’ve seen a very robust efficiency from him.
“He’s driving nicely, his confidence is rising and hopefully he can convert that into one other good outcome tomorrow.”
Horner added that Perez is responding nicely to the strain of combating for his future on the crew following his winter reset.
“He is a crucial a part of the crew and it’s about working collectively and I feel he has bought a fantastic engineering assist round him and the crew are doing a superb job,” he defined.
Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing, 2nd place, embraces Christian Horner, Staff Principal, Purple Bull Racing in celebration in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“He feels comfy within the crew. He is aware of he’s out of contract on the finish of this season and he’s driving for his future.
“He responds to strain in the absolute best method and I feel we see that with sure drivers with how they reply to strain whereas others generally wilt.
“He has modified a couple of issues in his method and I feel he’s driving rather well.”
Perez certified second for Sunday’s Chinese language Grand Prix after almost getting eradicated in Q1, with Horner admitting the crew was driving its luck because it was determined Perez would try to get by means of to Q2 on a set of used tyres.
“The monitor was evolving shortly and in hindsight we most likely ought to have run a brand new set of tyres, however we had been stacking them up for later in qualifying and the monitor was ramping up,” he mentioned.
“You’d prefer to say it was excellent judgement however we bought a bit fortunate to get him inside the reduce.”