F1 News: Red Bull Team Boss Jumps To Sergio Perez's Defence After Mexico GP Crash

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner defended his driver Sergio Perez after he made contact with Charles Leclerc on Turn 1 of the Mexican Grand Prix opening lap, thus causing his RB19 to leap into the air before coming down heavily.

Perez, who started P5, tried his best to overtake the pack in an attempt to get ahead and lead his home race. But in doing so, he tried to cut Leclerc off from the outside, probably without realising that the Ferrari driver was being pushed from the other side by teammate Max Verstappen.

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What followed after the wheel-to-wheel contact was the catapulting of Perez's Red Bull straight into the air before it crash-landed. Despite struggling its way to the pits, the car had to be retired from the race which caused the 33-year-old to earn another DNF this season.

Horner is of the opinion that Perez can't be blamed for the incident as he was under pressure to take the lead at his home race. Offering his views, he told Sky F1:

“Very contrasting.

"Another amazing race from Max, total and utter dominance.

"But for Checo, just absolutely gutting at his home race. He had a rocket ship launch.

"He had so much momentum going into that first corner, you can’t blame him for going for it, to try and take the lead at his home race.”

When Horner was asked if he needed to sit down and discuss things with Perez, he replied that it was important to support the driver during his difficult time. He answered:

“He’s got 13 years of experience in F1 and I think when you’re going through a difficult moment, it’s important to support him.

"He was having a great weekend until that point.

"He was going for the lead at his home race, in Mexico City, with a crowd that has insane support behind him.

"Three-into-one doesn’t go and unfortunately he was on the wrong side of it."

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