F1 | Red Bull sign Sergio Perez for the 2021 season
Sergio Perez has won the battle for the second seat at Red Bull Racing.
2020 continues to get even better for Mexico's Sergio Perez. The winner of the Sakhir Grand Prix has beaten Alex Albon to the second seat at Red Bull next year.
It's a well-deserved opportunity for Checo following a very strong campaign in the Racing Point. Despite getting the boot from the British-based team, he went on to take a podium in Turkey, as well as that famous first victory on the Sakhir Outer Loop earlier this month.
Although he missed both races at Silverstone because of positive COVID tests, Perez finished 4th in the standings with a total of 125 points; it was his highest ever finish in the Drivers' Championship. The Mexican ended up 20 points and three places ahead of the man he's replacing, Alex Albon.
Albon drops to the reserve driver role for 2021 after a difficult year in the RB16. He could only score two podiums as teammate Max Verstappen clinched two victories and stood on the podiums eleven times. The Thai pilot finished a whopping 109 points behind his stablemate.
"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" said Christian Horner.
“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.”
“I am incredibly grateful to Red Bull for giving me the opportunity to race for Red Bull Racing in 2021. The chance to race for a championship contending team is 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" said Perez about his new opportunity.
“You can be sure that I will give next season my full focus. The Team has the same winning mentality as me and I know I am here to perform and help the Team fight for another title.”
Charging into 2021 with @SChecoPerez! 👀 #HolaCheco 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/CUE897LBvJ
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 18, 2020
