Sergio Perez landed a spot at Red Bull Racing after an outstanding 2020 F1 season with Racing Point after Alex Albon didn’t impress much in his stint. The Mexican expected that it would take him 5 races to get going with Max Verstappen.
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And rightly so, when Perez celebrated only his second race win in his career on the 6th race weekend in Azerbaijan. Then came a podium finish in France after a late move to Valtteri Bottas.
So a contract extension with the Milton Keynes team seemed safe for Perez, but it has barely gone since then. Since the Styrian Grand Prix, Perez has scored a measly 20 points compared to Verstappen’s 56.
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Formula 1 F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 20, 2021 Red Bulls Max Verstappen celebrates his victory with third-placed Red Bulls Sergio Perez REUTERS / Yves Herman
The latest comments by Dr. Helmut Marko on the future of Red Bull at Perez have raised further questions. The Austrian claimed that the team is considering other options as Perez is still struggling to find the right setup despite almost half a season.
Of course, Marko decided not to mention the options. But who could they be? Let’s look at the possible options for Red Bull if Perez doesn’t sign a new deal.
Potential replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull
Pierre Gasly
The main name on the list is definitely Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman had a terrible 2019 season at Red Bull, where he was demoted to Toro Rosso mid-season.
MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Race winner Pierre Gasly from France and Scuderia AlphaTauri celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 06, 2020 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Luca Bruno – Pool / Getty Images)
Since then, however, it has been an amazing stay at AlphaTauri for the French. Gasly has already secured 3 podiums and one race win with the midfield team. And there’s no denying that he could do more at Red Bull next season. He deserves a chance to make amends for his failed streak with the team.
Nico Hulkenberg
Nico Hulkenberg was also one of the options for Red Bull ahead of the 2021 season, but his lack of on-track action lately overshadowed his success at Force India and Renault.
But he’s a driver who can understand a car quickly. Hülkenberg took part in 3 races in 2020. Despite the first race in months, Hülkenberg secured an impeccable P3 in qualifying at Silverstone and came home on P7 in the race.
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – Nico Hulkenberg from Germany and Racing Point reacts in Parc Ferme during the F1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone in Northampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon / Getty Images)
Later that season he drove another outstanding race at the Nürburgring to secure P8 after starting from P20 on the grid. Such is the pace of learning at Hülkenberg. The German may have zero podium places, but he is certainly a talent that Red Bull cannot lose.
Valtteri Bottas
Doesn’t seem possible, but there are opportunities. Bottas may not like the change in the atmosphere at Red Bull compared to Mercedes. He would still be the second driver behind a much faster Max Verstappen. Team orders will be a factor.
Formula 1 F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4th, 2021 Mercedes Valtteri Bottas celebrates second place with the trophy on the podium pool over REUTERS / Christian Bruna
But he has one trump card that could attract Red Bull – the secrets of Mercedes. A Mercedes man for 5 years, Bottas could hold some groundbreaking secrets that could bolster Red Bull’s performance on the track.
Alex Albon
The least possible option of all. The door has been shut tightly for Albon to make an F1 return. But his appearances in the DTM might only have given Red Bull reason to consider: ‘Why not Albon?’
NURBURG, GERMANY – Alexander Albon from Thailand and Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner speak in the pits during qualifying before the F1 Eifel Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring in Nuerburg, Germany. (Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images)
Albon looked pretty solid and took 3 wins from the first 3 rounds. As things stand, however, Albon’s focus has shifted to Indy, with a viable opportunity awaiting the Thai-British driver. So there’s a chance he could share the Indy grid with his former F1 colleague Romain Grosjean next year.
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Overall, Marko’s comments left the driver market wide open, with Hulkenberg’s F1 return seemingly brighter. So do we have a big change in the starting line-up ahead of the 2022 season?
View history: Biggest pit lane breakdowns with Hamilton, Raikkonen & Verstappen
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The post Possible options for Red Bull F1 to replace Perez – Bottas, Gasly & More first appeared on monter-une-startup.
