Christian Horner has sparked a backlash from F1 fans for comments on Instagram regarding Sergio Perez.
Red Bull have dominated Formula One over the past couple of years, ending Mercedes' dominance of the sport in the process.
But they endured a trickier time of things during Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen unable to finish the race.
Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate, Perez, could only finish fifth in the standings with Carlos Sainz winning the third race of the season.
Writing on Instagram after the race, Horner posted a summary of his thoughts.
He admitted it was a testing day for the team but said Perez had 'at least' done 'well to bring in some points'.
He wrote: "Not the race we were looking to run today, but the fact that it’s Max’s first DNF since 2022 - coincidentally also here in Melbourne - is a marker of the incredible run we have been on as a team.
"@SChecoPerez at least did well to bring home some points and P5 after picking up some floor damage.
"We were hard on the tyre, which is very unusual for us, but will look to resolve in time for Suzuka.
"For Max, it felt like the brakes were locked from the start of the Grand Prix, so effectively he was driving with the handbrake on and ultimately ended with the rear right overheating and failing dramatically to bring an early finish to his race."
But F1 fans have criticised Horner and accused the Red Bull chief of being 'negative' about Perez.
One user wrote: "Always quite negative towards checo - why did you write 'at least'."
A second said: "So this post would have been great if you didn’t add 'at least' for the Checo blurb."
A third stated: "Bro said at least."
A fourth weighed in by saying: "At least???? Great team building but this proves that Perez is not that kind of driver to win."
And a fifth said: "Blud said 'at least' crazy caption btw."
Many others were quick to defend Horner, however.
"Frustrating and disappointing weekend, but you are at the helm of a team that is fantastic at regrouping and coming back strong in Japan. You've got this Christian and we've got you," said one supporter.
A second defended the Red Bull chief by saying: "Don't worry. We love you man."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Christian Horner has sparked a backlash after praising Sergio Perez on social media
GETTY
And a third said: "The best team! The best boss. Congrats anyway! Suzuka will wait for your victory!"
Meanwhile, Verstappen was visibly annoyed after being unable to finish the race.
The 26-year-old could be seen having a tense chat with a Red Bull mechanic after the brake fire that forced him to retire.
Yet Horner has defended Verstappen after the Red Bull star made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
"Obviously, a driver is going to be frustrated when he gets out of a car from a retirement," he explained.
Christian Horner has defended Max Verstappen after Red Bull's difficulties at the Australian Grand Prix
GETTY
"I think he's been very gracious with the team and all of the mechanics.
"It hurts everybody in the same way. It's a matter of learning from it.
"We've had two years with no mechanical DNFs which has been remarkable.
"It's a matter of understanding what caused it and learning from it and moving on.
"It's remarkable after three races that he's still leading the championship even with that DNF but, as I say, a lot of lessons to take from today."