Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez has shot up to be a contender for the world championship title next to his teammate. After winning P2 at the Japanese Grand Prix and helping Max Verstappen secure his second title victory, the Mexican driver certainly seems ready to lift the cup himself.

Sergio Perez was the magical missing ingredient to Red Bull that was added in 2021. From helping Verstappen win the championship in 2021 to supporting him to win another title in 2022, Perez has been the ultimate wingman.

And it has not gone unnoticed. Perez’s increasingly impressive performance and outstanding partnership with Max have spurred immense support from fans. Fans are clamoring for the Mexican to be given similar support for future race wins.

And it appears that the fans are not the only ones who think that Checo deserves praise. Team principal Christian Horner too openly spoke of him in clear adulation.

“I think Checo’s had an incredible year. He should be second in the championship [and] that’s going to be the target to keep him there.”

“And of course, one of the big goals for us is to bring that constructors’ championship home after eight long years,” Horner said, Talking to Sky Sports F1, referencing their last constructors’ triumph in 2013.

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While Horner admits that Perez has been doing an incredible job, one cannot help but notice that he intends to keep him in second place. Surely Max Verstappen deserves all the triumphs he gets, but perhaps both drivers can get the same backing from their team to fight for the title.

Christian Horner admits his surprise at victory for Max Verstappen

Although Sergio Perez fought admirably for himself and his teammate, Max Verstappen‘s victory came with confusing mathematics.

The race at Suzuka was initially red-flagged and restarted with a delay due to bad weather. This resulted in a shorter race of only 40 minutes, which further led teams to assume that full points won’t be awarded. However, at the end of the race, the announcement came that full points were given, crowning Max Verstappen world champion.

Speaking on the issue of the confusing rules, Christian Horner gave his thoughts.

“We were under the strong impression that only with 75% of the race, full points will be scored. So we felt we were going to be one point short.”

“But in the end, Checo’s move on Charles nailed Max the championship. So you can see his surprise, the team’s surprise. But what a wonderful surprise.” 

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While the chaotic victory still bamboozles the majority of the fans, it is a well-deserved triumph, nonetheless. As the team principal says, it was a surprise, but a wonderful surprise.