Christian Horner has made it clear he's happy with Sergio Perez despite the uncertainty over his Red Bull future, with the 50-year-old hailing his driver following the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
It was another brilliant day for Red Bull, with Max Verstappen securing his third victory of the season so far.
Perez also impressed, however, with the Mexican finishing second - while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr also clinched a spot on the podium.
After Sainz won the Australian Grand Prix last time out, Horner refused to rule out a potential move for the Spaniard.
Christian Horner has praised Sergio Perez after Red Bull dominated the Japanese Grand Prix
SKY
Yet Horner has now hailed Perez, making it clear his future is in his hands after an impressive showing at the Suzuka Circuit.
"It's his seat to lose," he told Sky Sports.
"He's doing a great job, I mean he qualified within a tenth of a second yesterday, by far his best qualifying performance round here.
"And I think that you can see his confidence is growing and I think his performance in the race was very strong today.
"So his third second place of the year and doing everything that's needed of him."
Perez's contract with Red Bull is due to expire at the end of the current campaign.
And the Red Bull star, when asked about his future, insisted he was 'relaxed' and hoping for a resolution within the next month.
"I am pretty relaxed about it. It's my 14th season in F1 and whatever comes next... I'm really pleased with what I've done in the sport so far," he said.
"I believe it will be a matter of time. The driver market is moving - in the next few weeks, there will be a lot of movement.
"I expect, within a month, to really know what I am doing next year."
Horner has also taken to Instagram to react to today's race in East Asia.
And the Briton hailed both of his drivers, as well as the rest of the team, for their brilliant achievement.
"A third 1-2 in four races!" he wrote. "Congratulations to all the Team for a perfect response to Melbourne.
"A brilliantly executed strategy from @MaxVerstappen1 after the red flag, matched with some superb overtaking and performance by @SChecoPerez, ensured we brought home maximum points from Japan and for Honda’s home race.
"Overall, a great Team performance today; fastest lap, a one-two finish, fastest pit stop and leading first and second in The Championship. Next, Shanghai!"
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Sergio Perez finished second at the Japanese Grand Prix with Max Verstappen winning on another good day for Red Bull
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Verstappen, meanwhile, has admitted he enjoyed the race in Japan after being unable to finish the event in Australia last month.
"It was very nice," said the 26-year-old.
"The critical bit was the start to stay ahead and after that the car got better and better for me throughout the race, I don't know if it had to do with the clouds coming in.
"Everything went well - pit stops, strategy. It couldn't have been any better.
"The last race was a little hiccup the last race but very happy we are here back on top.
Christian Horner has praised both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez following Red Bull's success in Japan
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"Great fans and in front of Honda as well, it's fantastic to win here."
The next Grand Prix takes place in Shanghai, China, on April 21.
It is the first race in the country since 2019, with Lewis Hamilton winning on that occasion.
