Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez constitute the best line-up his outfit has ever had in F1, a claim that somewhat bewildered Sky F1's Martin Brundle.
Verstappen and Perez are set to embark on their third season together, but so far the Dutchman has been – by far – the dominant force in the pairing.
Last year, Verstappen delivered to Red Bull 15 of its 17 wins, with Perez adding wins in Monaco and in Singapore to his team's tally.
"We’re very lucky we got two fantastic drivers and you know their combined efforts the last two years have been stunning," commented Horner last week in New York, where Red Bull Racing presented its 2023 season.
"Obviously, you know, that first Drivers’ World Championship for Max in ’21 and then the double championship last year and winning 17 Grands Prix between the two of them.
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"First and third in in the Drivers’ Championship and of course, bringing home that Constructors’ Championship back to Oracle Red Bull Racing for the first time in eight years.
"And, you know, these guys, I think it’s the best pairing we’ve ever had in Formula 1. It’s been hugely successful," added the Briton.
"We’re going to need every bit of that this year as we go against some big opponents, with the other teams looking to come back at us after such a dominant season last year, but we’re very fortunate to have to two such talented drivers."
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Few would dispute the strength of Red Bull's driver line-up relative to its rivals.
But claiming that Verstappen-Perez is the best combo the team has ever had in its history is an "odd" assertion in Brundle's view, especially when taking into account the brief spat that occurred between the two drivers at last year's Brazilian Grand Prix.
"What does Christian mean when he says best?," Brundle said on a recent Sky Sports F1 podcast.
"Does he mean that they fit together well in the combo? In other words that Sergio is probably a little bit more compliant than Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel would have been.
"So odd in that respect but Christian’s got the data and that’s what he thinks and he’s the boss.
"If they’ve the two you’ve got going into the season ahead, why not say nice things about them?"
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