F1: Sergio Perez to replace Albon at Red Bull

Sakhir Grand Prix – Bahrain Intercontinental Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – December 6, 2020 Racing Point’s Sergio Perez celebrates after winning the race

 

Mexican Sergio Perez will swap Alexander Albon at Red Bull following season as the former System One champions set their sights on supplying dominant rivals Mercedes a run for their funds.

The thirty-year-old Perez, a winner for Racing Stage in Bahrain this thirty day period, will slot in alongside Dutchman Max Verstappen with Albon relegated to the function of check and reserve driver.

“We want to industry the strongest team we can to acquire the battle to Mercedes,” claimed team boss Christian Horner whose team finished next in the all round standings winning two of this season’s 17 races in comparison to champions Mercedes’ 13.

“Sergio’s got the essential amount of experience, delivers a prosperity of knowledge to the team as well and I consider will be a fantastic team mate for Max following year.”

Perez has misplaced his seat for following year at Racing Stage, who will contend as Aston Martin, to 4-moments winner Sebastian Vettel and the Mexican experienced indicated that he would acquire a sabbatical in 2021 if he unsuccessful to land the Red Bull travel.

The transfer fingers him a next shot at a prime seat after he used a season at McLaren as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement when the Briton left for Mercedes in 2013.

It helps make him the first driver outside Red Bull’s youthful driver advancement method to race for the team because Mark Webber retired at the conclude of that year.

‘EARNED THE SEAT’

“It’s impossible to ignore Sergio’s effectiveness this year,” claimed Horner. “He’s earned the seat.”

Perez, who delivers considerable backing from Mexico and produced his F1 debut with Sauber in 2011, finished fourth in the all round standings powering Verstappen regardless of lacking two races owing to COVID-19.

He took two podiums, which includes his Sakhir Grand Prix gain, in 2020 to deliver his occupation tally to ten rostrum finishes from 191 starts.

The only Latin American driver in the activity and the first Mexican to gain in F1 for 50 a long time, Perez has used the last seven seasons at Racing Stage, acquiring joined the team when it was however Force India.

He was instrumental in securing the cash-strapped team’s foreseeable future in 2018 when it was bought out of administration by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, whose son Lance races the outfit’s other vehicle.

ALBON Identified

Horner, who fielded Perez as an up and coming youthful driver in his GP2 team, claimed that with the Mexican Red Bull would have a better opportunity of taking the battle to Mercedes with both equally of their cars.

This year Verstappen was much more typically than not left to acquire the battle to the German team’s two cars by himself.

As for Albon, who finished seventh in the standings level with McLaren’s Ferrari-bound Spaniard Carlos Sainz, Horner claimed the 24-year-old was decided to obtain his way again to a race seat.

“We will see how situations unfold for 2022 possibly within just Red Bull or external of Red Bull,” claimed Horner.

Perez’s Red Bull confirmation leaves only Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes seat in participate in.

But the 35-year-old, who wrapped up a file-equalling seventh world title this season, is anticipated to keep with Mercedes.

(Reporting by Abhishek Takle editing by Toby Davis and Ken Ferris)

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