Many would assume the first half of Sergio Perez’s first season at Red Bull was spectacular. The Mexican has one win and a podium under his belt so far. Acclaimed F1 reporter Jack Plooij thinks differently, however, and believes Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas will fit perfectly alongside Max Verstappen.
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Plooij believes that team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko should consider the Finnish driver as an opportunity to find a partner. He believes Bottas is an ideal team-mate and will work well with the Dutch driver.
Red Bull should opt for Valtteri Bottas instead of Sergio Perez, says Plooij
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Looking back on the first half of the season, Plooij shares his thoughts with Motorsport.com. The Dutch reporter thinks that Perez had a bad first half compared to Bottas. He therefore asks Marko & Co to view the Mercedes driver as a possible teammate of their team prodigy.
Formula 1 F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 19, 2021 Mercedes third Valtteri Bottas during the press conference after qualifying FIA / handout via REUTERS
He said: “Maybe they put Bottas next to Verstappen, I don’t know, but I don’t think Helmut Marko stayed behind. He’s not crazy, he just looks like, ‘Who do we need besides Max?’ After all, the ideal second driver is Valtteri Bottas. Then why didn’t you get it? “
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Marko doesn’t see Mercedes Bottas joining the team
The driver with the number 77 runs out of his contract at the end of the season. As such, he could look elsewhere on the grid to secure his future for the 2022 season. However, the Milton-Keynes-based team has closed its doors and Marko thinks Williams is the only option for him as talks are underway to swap George Russell.
Formula 1 F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – May 2, 2021 Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes before the pool race via REUTERS / Gabriel Bouys
In an interview with Sport1, Marko said: “Bottas doesn’t have to call us. “There is no place. I can only imagine a swap with Russell. I think Williams will be the only option for him. “
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However, the second half of the season is still in full swing. Can we see Perez step up his game for the rest of the season or will Bottas beat him? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.
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The post Jack Plooij believes this Mercedes F1 driver should replace Perez alongside Verstappen first appeared on monter-une-startup.
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