Horner: Red Bull to decide 2025 line-up ‘much later in the year’

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has thrown cold water on Sergio Perez’s expectations to have clarity on his future in the coming weeks, insisting the Milton Keynes-based outfit is unlikely to decide its 2025 line-up until “much later” this year.

In Japan two weeks ago, Perez, whose contract with Red Bull expires at the end of the season, stated that he expected to know within a month “what I’m doing next year”.

The Mexican obviously hopes to retain his seat with the championship winning outfit, but Red Bull is also taking a keen interest in Carlos Sainz, a free agent following Ferrari’s decision to part ways with the Spaniard at the end of the year to welcome Lewis Hamilton to Maranello.

Perez’s strong form this season argues in favour of a status quo at Red Bull, but Horner is adamant that there will be no call on the team’s future driver line-up in the near-term.

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"It is incredible that we are at race five and there's so much talk already about drivers for next year,” Horner said ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

"We're in a situation where we're very happy with our two drivers, but don't need to make a decision until much later in the year.

"Max is on a long-term contract, and Checo is out of contract, but driving exceptionally well so far this season.”

In addition to Perez, Red Bull also has three-in house drivers – Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson – that it could promote to the Mexican’s plum seat.

"Sergio of course would like to make an announcement tomorrow undoubtedly, but we as a team aren't in a particular rush,” added Horner.

"We're in a fortunate position where many drivers would obviously like to drive for the team, but we're happy with the pairing that we have.

"We just want to make sure that the level of consistency that Checo started the season is maintained and in due course, we will evaluate those options.

"But as I say, at this point in time, we're very happy with the line-up that we have, so there is no imminent rush to announce the full driver line-up for 2025."

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