Horner on possible Perez replacement: 'Pulled out of the top hat'

Christian Horner is happy that Sergio Perez is better again. The Mexican is better again in time for the weekend's racing in Austria. Perez achieved a fifth place on the timesheet during the first free practice session. Had he still been ill, Horner would not have tangled with drivers, he indicated during the press conference after the first free practice.

Horner was sure he could always have found a replacement for Perez. The Red Bull team boss said he had not exactly thought about a replacement. "Not at all, to be honest with you. We've obviously got numerous drivers that are available to us, so we would have pulled one out of the hat had we needed one."

So how did the Red Bull driver contract the disease? Horner knows the answer: "Thankfully he's better. I think it's a joy of having young children that they tend to bring home every bug and pass it on. And Dzeko is a father of several youngsters. I think he just picked up one of those bugs." the team boss told reporters.

Sergio Perez is currently second in the world championship with 126 points. Had the 33-year-old driver been ill, there was a good chance Alonso would have passed him in the standings. The Spaniard is only nine points behind Perez in the standings.