Purple Bull group principal Christian Horner heaped reward on Sergio Perez after his drive from ninth to 3rd within the Hungarian Grand Prix, however acknowledged he should enhance his qualifying performances.
Perez ended a five-race run of failing to succeed in Q3 on the Hungaroring. Nevertheless he certified nearly half a second slower than group mate Max Verstappen and solely lined up ninth on the grid.
From there he climbed by way of the sector to complete third. Afterwards Horner mentioned Perez had produced “a extremely robust drive” on the Hungaroring.
“He obtained his elbows out, he had nice tempo, [did] strikes on Fernando [Alonso], on Carlos Sainz, on Oscar [Piastri], on George Russell. There was some phenomenal racing.
“To get onto the rostrum, he was searching Lando [Norris] down in the direction of the tip of the race there. Actually [well] deserved from him, so actually, actually happy with his efficiency immediately.”
Over the earlier 5 grands prix Perez had solely taken one podium end and misplaced important floor to Verstappen within the drivers’ championship. Horner believes he “will take a whole lot of confidence” from the end result after “going through a little bit of criticism” for his efficiency.
“It was super-hard racing immediately and I assumed he did his speaking on the circuit immediately, which is at all times nice to see.”
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Perez had began his weekend on the Hungaroring within the worst manner doable by crashing within the first follow session, so to make the rostrum “was the perfect payback he may give his mechanics and group”, reckoned Horner.
“The issue is you guys [the media] wind issues up and you’ll go from hero to zero on this enterprise fairly rapidly. He’s not resistant to that. And I believe he responded in the very best manner and did his speaking on the circuit and delivered an incredible efficiency.
“Formulation 1’s a strain enterprise, he is aware of that. He’s been round lengthy sufficient to know the pressures there are in F1 and at Purple Bull typically that’s much more heightened. However he’s responded in the very best manner, and I believe he’ll be very happy along with his drive.”
Nevertheless Horner acknowledged Perez had fallen brief in qualifying in current races. Final weekend was solely the fifth time he has reached Q3 in 11 occasions this 12 months in a automotive which stays undefeated in race trim.
“He must put extra emphasis on Saturday as a result of that’s the bit that’s lacking,” mentioned Horner. “As soon as he will get that nailed – he was in Q3 this weekend, I believe I’ll take confidence from that.
“As quickly as he begins qualifying within the first couple of rows you then’re again in enterprise.”
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