Christian Horner has explained that Sergio Perez will 'reach his own conclusions' about his F1 future following a dismal weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The under-fire Mexican was miles off the pace of team-mate and eventual race winner Max Verstappen in qualifying and suffered a DNF in the Grand Prix. This was Perez's third finish outside of the points in the last four events.

Perez's future has been a constant topic of debate this season and as the 35-year-old has battled through miserable weekend after miserable weekend, Horner and the Red Bull leadership have found it harder and harder to defend their struggling driver.

“Checo has had a very tough year, and obviously the points tables are what they are,” explained Red Bull chief Horner after the Grand Prix in Doha.

“We’re very much focused on really supporting him to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi, and then, obviously, it’s not an enjoyable situation for Checo to be in this position with speculation every week – he’s old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is, and let’s see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”

Horner was quick to clear up that there would be no pressure placed on Perez to make a decision either way. “I’m gonna let Checo come to his own conclusions," he continued. "Nobody’s forcing him one way or another. I’m gonna let him… it’s not a nice situation for him to be in.

“He’s won five Grands Prix for us, and he’s had some outstanding performances in races like Singapore, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia, to name but a few. Everybody holds Checo in the highest regard and respect. But obviously, the situation that we’re in is as painful for him as it is for the team.”

If Perez does opt to call time on his F1 career after the race in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull will be left with a conundrum that has no obvious solution.

Franco Colapinto had been touted as a surprise replacement following a barnstorming start to life in F1, but his output has cooled lately, while Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson have both been inconsistent at times in 2024.