Perez set for 2021 Red Bull F1 deal
Sergio Perez looks set to secure a seat with the Red Bull Formula 1 team in 2021, with a website owned by the energy drinks company saying an announcement will be made on Friday.
Red Bull had vowed to make a swift decision about whether or not to stick with Alex Albon, after the Thai driver struggled to match teammate Max Verstappen throughout the past season.
He did take a podium finish at the Tuscan Grand Prix, but finished the campaign 109 points behind his Dutch teammate. Albon had faced difficulties getting on top of the tricky handling of the RB16 but appeared to have made some progress over the final race weekend in Abu Dhabi.
But amid growing indications that Red Bull felt its 2021 ambitions could be better served by opting for a proven more experienced driver like Perez, the team appears to have wasted little time in making its call.
The German Speedweek website, which is part of the portfolio of the Red Bull Media House, says that Perez has been chosen and that an official announcement by the team will be made on Friday.
The Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf, which has close links to Verstappen, also reported on Thursday night that the Perez deal was done.
Red Bull was approached for comment on the reports but did not respond.
Perez had faced an uncertain future despite delivering his best season in F1 and securing his maiden victory at the Sakhir Grand Prix. The Mexican had been dropped for 2021 late in the campaign by Racing Point, which opted to replace him for next year with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
With few options available elsewhere, Perez said it was more likely that he would take a complete sabbatical if he did not secure a full time F1 race seat with Red Bull in ’21.
“There's only one option,” he said in the closing stages of the season. “I've said it before, I've been here for so many years. I want to keep going, I think I'm at the peak of my career.
“But I also want to keep going with a reason, with a plan, with a good project, so I think if there's not a good project that keeps my motivation to give 100 percent, I'd rather not take it.
“I think right now we're just waiting on the decision, what they decide to do. So that's out of my hands.”
Should Albon not keep his F1 race seat, he is almost certain to be retained by Red Bull as a test and reserve driver.
Related video
Previous article
Barcelona circuit reshapes Turn 10 for 2021
Next article
Mercedes hints at imminent Hamilton F1 contract renewal
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Sergio Perez |
| Teams | Red Bull Racing |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Onboard Lap - Imola
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping .
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is no guarantee.
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
