Formula One: Horner keen to avoid ‘paranoia’ in Red Bull’s internal rivalry
The HinduRed Bull team principal Christian Horner says he is going to great lengths to ensure his championship-leading drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are treated equally and that no ‘paranoia’ develops in their rivalry. “It is racing, it is Formula 1 and occasionally something will happen like a safety car or a pit stop or you can’t control every aspect within the sport,” he said, adding that he hoped the duel between the pair would be decided by driving skills rather than reliability issues. “There are still variables and I think so long as the drivers know that they are both getting an equal chance and it is ultimately down to what they do on the circuit, that is where you want it to play out.” Checo is ‘sky high’ Perez’s performances this year have given Verstappen some much-needed competition after back-to-back world championships and Horner said it was clear the driver dubbed “Checo” was on a high. “As we move back into Europe, some of the more classic circuits, that’s where I think he’s going to need to take this and carry this confidence, which I believe he absolutely can do.