Red Bull explains timing of Perez Abu Dhabi photo
Red Bull has explained the background to a photo of Sergio Perez with team chiefs in Abu Dhabi, taken prior to him being announced as its 2021 Formula 1 driver.

With Red Bull feeling that Alex Albon had not delivered the consistency and rate of improvement it had hoped for, it elected to commit to Perez for next year.
Both drivers were informed of the decision on the Friday after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, with the news being made official shortly afterwards.
However, there was some intrigue prompted by a picture that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner posted on Instagram shortly after the announcement was made, showing Perez with Horner and Helmut Marko.
Eagle eyed observers noted that the photo appeared to have been taken in Abu Dhabi, with the curtain design being from the track hotel.
Furthermore, Perez was wearing the same clothes that he had been wearing when he did a helmet swap with Sebastian Vettel after the Yas Marina race.
Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com about the photo, Marko confirmed that it was indeed taken in Abu Dhabi – but he has denied that a final decision had been taken at that point.
“A photo has nothing to do with signing a contract,” explained Marko. “It was a social meeting and at that time, nothing was one hundred percent definite. We took the photo in case it became definite. Signatures can be done electronically these days.”
Asked if the picture had been taken on Sunday night or Monday morning, Marko said: “I honestly don't remember exactly. It was a turbulent weekend. And the opportunity was there because, after all, we weren't allowed out of the hotel because of the COVID-19 regulations."
Despite Red Bull's hopes of the photo not being traced back to being taken in Abu Dhabi, Marko said that both the curtains and Perez’s clothes had given the game away.
"Perez was wearing the same shirt as when Vettel handed over his helmet," he smiled. "That gave us away rather than the curtains.”
Read Also:
Related video

Previous article
How Vettel's Ferrari mission ended on a sour note
Next article
Grosjean makes sim racing return, one month after Bahrain crash

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Sergio Perez |
Teams | Red Bull Racing |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Red Bull explains timing of Perez Abu Dhabi photo
Trending
Is Red Bull Hiding the Real RB16B? | F1 2021
Sergio Perez's First Drive With Red Bull Racing
The pros and cons of F1's 2021 rule changes
In the strategy for grand prix racing's future, 2021 represents a significant step towards the goal of closer racing and a more level playing field. That's the theory behind the latest raft of changes, but will they have the desired effect?
What Red Bull is trying to hide with its RB16B launch
Red Bull made no secret of the fact its 2021 F1 car is an evolution of its predecessor, but in keeping the same foundations while hiding some tightly-guarded updates with its RB16B, the team aims to avoid suffering the same pitfalls of previous years
How Albon plans to fight his way out of Red Bull limbo
Alex Albon has faced the media for the first time since he lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2020 and dropped out of a Formula 1 race seat altogether. He has a history of bouncing back from setbacks, so here's what he must do to rise again
Ranked! Carlin's greatest F1 graduates
Carlin has helped guide enough drivers to Formula 1 to fill out an entire grid, plus a handful of reserves, to create a remarkable alumni list. With Yuki Tsunoda set to join that group, Motorsport.com has ranked its graduates to grace the grand prix scene...
Why Alfa's 2021 launch says more about its 2022 plans
Alfa Romeo launched its C41 with a revised front nose, but there's little to suggest it will surge up the leaderboard in 2021. As the team frankly admits, it's putting its eggs in the basket labelled 2022 and hoping to hold the eighth place it earned last year
Why Gasly’s AlphaTauri haven is a blessing and a curse
Red Bull opted not to re-sign Pierre Gasly even before it decided to drop Alex Albon and so the Frenchman's Formula 1 journey will continue at AlphaTauri. This has positive and negative connotations for one of last season's star performers.
Eight things Red Bull must do to beat Mercedes in 2021
After seven years of defeat at the hands of Mercedes, Red Bull is as hungry as ever to secure a fifth world championship. But there are key challenges it must overcome in 2021 to switch from challenger to conqueror
How AlphaTauri has adapted to F1's new rules
AlphaTauri launched its AT02, complete with a new livery, as it bids to home in on an already-tight midfield battle. Although there were few outright new parts displayed on the launch render, there might be a few clues into further changes down the line…