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 workforce 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 available on the market for subsequent yr.
Final yr, Perez appeared to battle beneath his personal expectations of with 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 now not being targeted on what Verstappen is doing, has made him extra relaxed behind the wheel.
“You guys tend to write down him off however he’s doing an important job,” Horner informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“He has come into this season with a brand new mind set, he’s relaxed, he’s driving the automotive very well.
“He isn’t targeted on his team-mate, it’s a completely different strategy and within the first 5 races we’ve seen a very robust efficiency from him.
“He’s driving properly, his confidence is rising and hopefully he can convert that into one other good outcome tomorrow.”
Horner added that Perez is responding properly to the stress of preventing for his future on the workforce following his winter reset.
“He is a vital a part of the workforce and it’s about working collectively and I feel he has received an important engineering help round him and the workforce are doing an excellent job,” he defined.
Sergio Perez, Pink Bull Racing, 2nd place, embraces Christian Horner, Workforce Principal, Pink Bull Racing in celebration in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“He feels snug within the workforce. 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 stress in the very best manner and I feel we see that with sure drivers with how they reply to stress whereas others generally wilt.
“He has modified a couple of issues in his strategy and I feel he’s driving very well.”
Perez certified second for Sunday’s Chinese language Grand Prix after practically getting eradicated in Q1, with Horner admitting the workforce was driving its luck because it was determined Perez would try to get by way of to Q2 on a set of used tyres.
“The observe was evolving rapidly and in hindsight we in all probability ought to have run a brand new set of tyres, however we had been stacking them up for later in qualifying and the observe was ramping up,” he stated.
“You’d prefer to say it was good judgement however we received a bit fortunate to get him inside the lower.”