Red Bull gives Checo Perez wings for 2021 signing him to substitute Alex Albon   
, , , , ,

Red Bull Racing has confirmed this Friday the signing of Mexican driver Sergio Perez to race alongside Max Verstappen at the 2021 Formula One World Championship, in replacement of Alex Albon. The latter will stay part of the team as reserve and test driver. 

“I am incredibly grateful to Red Bull for the chance to race for a championship-contending team; something I have been hoping for since I joined Formula One, and it will be a proud moment to step onto the grid in Red Bull colours alongside Max. I will give my all at the next race. Both the team and I have a winning mindset” – Declared the driver from Guadalajara -. 

Meanwhile, his new boss and Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner, had the following to say: 

“Alex is a valued member of the team and we thought long and hard about this decision. Having taken our time to evaluate all the relevant data and performances, we have decided that Sergio is the right driver to partner Max for 2021 and look forward to welcoming him to Red Bull Racing. Alex remains an important part of our team as test and reserve driver with a key focus on 2022 development and we would like to thank him for his hard work and contribution.” 

https://twitter.com/redbullracing/status/1339937725793841152

The announcement puts an end to the rumours and speculation of the last few weeks surrounding the second seat of the team of the energy drinks. The is said to have involved some serious negotiating with team owner Dietrich Mateschitz who was set on the continuity of Albon. 

The board of directors, however, including team principal Christian Horner, and team advisor Dr Helmut Marko, have managed to convince the wealthy inventor of the famous beverage. 

Undoubtedly, the memorable end of season of the Jalisco driver – a podium and victory – has tipped the balance in his favour. 2020 was Perez’ best campaign in Formula1, having finished fourth overall with 125 points, 75 more than his now ex-teammate, the Canadian Lance Stroll. 
Also weighing in the decision has been the sizable financial contribution of his sponsors. If this was not enough to make up their minds, Albon’s below-expectations performance during the season has done the rest. 
The Mexican driver has played his cards well as he is about to race for one of the best teams on the grid after losing his 7-year seat at Racing Point to Sebastian Vettel. The talented South American had all his eggs in the basket of the Austrian team.

For him, it was either Red Bull or a sabbatical and his enthusiasm has paid off. In his bid, he has managed to prevail over candidates such as the German Nico Hulkenberg, currently seatless, or the French Pierre Gasly, a member of Alpha Tauri, a Red Bull subsidiary. 

Alex Albon and Sergio Perez: Two divergent trajectories 

The trajectories followed by the Mexican and the Anglo-Thai drivers over the 2020 season couldn’t have been more different, especially during the final stretch of the championship. 

On the one hand, Perez has gone from strength to strength displaying great consistency, rhythm and confidence. His excellent performance culminated with his first F1 triumph, and tenth podium, at the Sakhir Grand Prix in the Circuit of Bahrain. 

Only the Mercedes of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and his tepid squire Valtteri Bottas, as well as his new teammate in Red Bull, Max Verstappen, finished above Perez in the standings. This result speaks for itself. 

 Albon, on the contrary, has faltered under pressure consistently producing results well below what was expected of him and always far inferior to those of his Dutch teammate.
He has never been a match for the other RB16, both during the races and against the chronometer. 
Images of Sergio Perez: Red Bull Racing.

Leave a Reply