F1 insider Ted Kravitz revealed on Sky F1's 'Ted’s Notebook' after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Red Bull could officially name Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen's partner for 2021 as early as next week.
Red Bull is expected to confirm Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s team-mate for 2021, perhaps as soon as the “coming week”. This is according to Formula 1 reporter Ted Kravitz who disclosed the news as part of his Ted’s Notebook program on Sky F1 after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Although Sergio Perez was always a possibility, Red Bull's initial goal was to stick with Alex Albon for the 2021 campaign.
Over the last few days, Red Bull's strategy appears to have changed; the plan is now for Perez to partner with Verstappen, leaving Albon to serve as the team's reserve and test pilot.
Kravitz indicated that an official confirmation of Perez's arrival is imminent. It is widely believed that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko played key roles in convincing Dietrich Mateschitz to approve the signing.
The reporter argues that the move is a low-risk gamble for the Austrian squad. By bringing in Perez, they can test his capabilities without losing security, as Albon will still be available if the results aren't where they need to be.
The timing is bittersweet for Albon, who earned praise from Horner for his best drive of the year at the Abu Dhabi GP, where he finished 4th after challenging Lewis Hamilton for a podium spot.
Reflecting on the Abu Dhabi GP, Alex Albon expressed that it was his strongest weekend of the year, noting that he felt he had done everything possible to prove his value to Red Bull.
Albon also extended his gratitude to the factory staff and pit crew, praising their unwavering support and their persistence in tweaking the car to better suit his driving style.
Despite the intense pressure of the race weekend, Albon stated he is proud of his ability to keep pushing for the best possible result.
Christian Horner confirmed to Sky F1 that Albon's overall performance was the best of his season, specifically highlighting how he pressured Lewis Hamilton toward the end of the race.
When asked about the rumors surrounding Sergio Perez, Horner hinted that a resolution is coming soon and that the media will be notified immediately.
Sergio Perez's tenure with Racing Point ended on a frustrating note in Abu Dhabi, where a transmission failure forced him out of the season's final race.