Red Bull have announced that Sergio Perez will partner Max Verstappen for 2021 Formula One season, with Alex Albon demoted to reserve driver duties.
Perez’s move comes just three months after he was informed that he was being released from Racing Point in favour of Sebastian Vettel for the team’s switch to Aston Martin next season, before claiming his first win in Bahrain earlier this month en route to fourth in the championship and 20 points ahead of Albon in seventh.
On the decision to sign Perez on an one-year contract with potential to extend if he adapts well to the team, Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner said: “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.”
Speaking on his move to Red Bull and the chance to race for a four-time constructor winning team, Perez said; “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.”
The Mexican also iterated that he will give next season his everything despite having options for 2022, saying; “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.”
Albon consequently will be Red Bull’s official Test and Reserve Driver for 2021 with his role primarily seeing his focus directly on 2022 development, simulator work and tyre testing ahead of regulation changes after next season.
Speaking on the decision to demote Albon, Horner iterated that the Thai driver is still a ‘valued member’ of Red Bull and is set to play “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.”
This move means that should Perez impress and earn a contract extension for 2022, Albon could return to AlphaTauri (formerly known as Toro Rosso) if Pierre Gasly departs after next season or Yuki Tsunoda fails to impress in his rookie campaign otherwise the Thai could be looking for a new team after 2021.
Impact on Red Bull Junior Programme
Red Bull’s decision to demote Albon to Test and Reserve Driver will definitely impact upon members of their junior programme, after Juri Vips (pictured) spent several races with the team in that role this season due to Coronavirus causing the Estonian to endure a fractured campaign of racing.
Vips however looks set for a full-time Formula Two campaign next season alongside fellow junior drivers, Liam Lawson and Jehan Daruvala, whilst Jack Doohan, Dennis Hauger and Jak Crawford all look set to spend next season in Formula Three with Hauger predicted to be placed at twice reigning team champions, Prema for 2021.
Albon’s new role though is thought to potentially limit opportunities for various youngsters on the junior programme to spend race weekends supporting the team in a behind-the-scenes role and learn from the race drivers.
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