Formula 1: 5 possible Red Bull drivers for 2021
By Asher Fair
Possible 2021 Red Bull drivers: #3 – Sergio Perez
Another veteran who is out of a ride for 2021 despite his exceptional performance is Sergio Perez. Perez is set to be replaced at Racing Point, which are set to be rebranded as Aston Martin starting next year, by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who is set to be replaced by McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.
Racing Point’s other driver, Lance Stroll, has not been confirmed for next year, but it is all but a guarantee that he will be back, given the fact that his father Lawrence owns the team.
Perez, the only full-time driver aside from projected world champion Lewis Hamilton who has scored points in all of his starts this season, entered the year as the only driver who had won more than three straight teammate battles in the driver standings. He entered the season on a five-year streak of teammate victories, and he is set to extend that streak to six this year.
Would Red Bull want to take him on and risk tension with Max Verstappen? Perhaps not. But they know that they need a reliable performer in their second car after two disappointing seasons, and Perez fits that bill perfectly.
Provided that they are convinced that Verstappen is their man, which his recent multi-year extension signifies, there is no reason for them to pass on Perez, especially with the financial backing he would bring.