F1 Azerbaijan GP: “Horner having to massage Golden Boy’s ego”- Fans furious after Christian Horner calls Sergio Perez ‘lucky’ on Max Verstappen’s radio

Sergio Perez won the Azerbaijan GP after the Mexican driver jumped Max Verstappen with an overcut during the Safety Car. The 33-year-old managed to sustain his lead throughout the race, with Verstappen failing to catch up with his teammate. However, post-race things took a peculiar turn at Red Bull as Team Principal Christian Horner talked to the Dutchman on the team radio.

Horner tried to appreciate Max’s driver as the 25-year-old brought the car home in second place. However, the Red Bull team boss took a controversial take on Perez’s win as he told the Dutchman that his teammate had luck on his side. Christian Horner stated, “Yeah well done Max. Checo got a little lucky with the Safety Car there but it’s a long long season and very very good points today. SO great team result well done.”

This was a rare sight in Formula 1 as a team boss doesn’t often console their driver by calling their teammate “lucky.” Christian must’ve uttered this phrase to make Verstappen feel better as the two-time world champion lost out due to the Safety Car. Moreover, Horner highlighted the long F1 calendar to inform Max Verstappen that he can increase his championship lead in the upcoming races.

Discover: Who has the most F1 Azerbaijan GP wins?

“Poor Checo. Best revenge is winning” – Fans unhappy with Christian Horner’s remarks on Perez’s win

Fans on Twitter were fuming after listening to this radio. One fan mentioned how Horner’s words were a direct contradiction to Red Bull’s claim of equal status between its drivers. The fan said, “That’s incredible! Jeez – keep telling us all it’s equal at RB.” At the same time, one user stated how the Red Bull team boss depended on Verstappen. The user wrote, “No one can wind me up as much as Christian ‘what would I do without Max’ Horner.”

Moreover, another user pointed out how Horner’s bias towards the two-time world champion is blatantly clear. The user replied, “The bias they have towards Max is so obvious, Perez drove well today.” While one fan urged the Mexican driver to get his revenge by simply winning more races. The fan commented, “Poor checo. best revenge is winning.”

Thus, Christian Horner did not shy away from consoling Verstappen after the race. The Dutchman did lose out during the Safety Car to Sergio Perez, but the Dutchman failed to catch up with his team over the course of the race. Things might escalate things in the Red Bull camp if Checo takes this message as a way of Horner indirectly wanting Max to win the championship.

In case you missed it:

• F1 Azerbaijan GP: “Fast and Furious,” Sergio Perez sarcastically hails Baku Sprint Shootout
• Male bias in motorsports hits the female drivers of F1 Academy hard

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW