Horner: Perez made a ‘great advert for himself’ with Sakhir F1 victory

Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Sergio Perez gave “a very good account of himself’ after his victory in Sakhir, but insists it will have no bearing on the team’s 2021 decision.

Perez recovered from a first-lap tangle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to claim a shock maiden Formula 1 win, at a time where he has no drive for next year.

Red Bull is known to be keeping a close eye on Perez should it chose to sign the Mexican as a replacement for current driver Alexander Albon.

Albon is under pressure to perform given his struggle to match team-mate Max Verstappen all season, with Horner revealing in Bahrain the Thai driver would either stay at Red Bull or spend “a year on the bench”.

It later emerged Perez received a message from Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko congratulating him on his victory, and Horner said he too had done the same.

“He sent me one back asking us to go and join him for some tequilas, because he was staying in the same hotel, which was very nice of him,” Horner told Sky Sports F1.

“I think everybody in the pitlane was delighted for him, to see him win that grand prix.

“He’s been around a long time, he drove for me in GP2 years ago, and I think he was a very popular winner last Sunday.”

Horner said Perez had given a “very good account of himself” with his performances over 2020, but was clear no call would be made until after Abu Dhabi.

“We’re giving Alex every opportunity as I’ve previously said,” Horner said. “No decisions will be made until after this race.

“But Sergio has given a very good account of himself.”

Asked if a poor display in Abu Dhabi from Albon could make it more likely Perez would take his seat, Horner replied: “I know what you’re fishing for. You’re not going to get it.

“As I say, the focus is on doing the best job we can with Alex, and Sergio, he just needs to keep doing what he’s doing.

“He’s doing a great job, doing a great advert for himself. I think our focus is very much on Alex, and we want to see him obviously do the best job he can this weekend.”