Formula 1: Red Bull to make major announcement Friday

By Asher Fair | Dec 17, 2020

Alexander Albon, Red Bull, Formula 1 (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) /

Red Bull are reportedly set to confirm that Sergio Perez will replace Alexander Albon for the 2021 Formula 1 season, with an official announcement coming Friday.

After a ton of speculation, which has only heated up since his first career Formula 1 victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit earlier this month, Sergio Perez is reportedly set to be officially confirmed as Red Bull’s second driver for the 2021 Formula 1 season alongside Max Verstappen.

Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz reported that a deal confirming the matter was on its way “in the next coming week” as part of his Ted’s Notebook program on Sky F1 in the moments after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this past Sunday.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf has reported that a deal is already done, and German website Speedweek has reported that this is set to be announced Friday.

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Alexander Albon, whom Perez is slated to replace, is reportedly set to become the test and reserve driver for the Milton Keynes-based team, which puts him in position to potentially be inserted back into the team’s lineup as a more developed driver in 2022 if things do not pan out with the 30-year-old Mexican.

Perez is set to be replaced by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel alongside Lance Stroll at Racing Point, which are set to be rebranded as Aston Martin, next year after spending seven seasons with the organization going back to their days as Force India.

He finished in a career-high fourth place in the 2020 driver standings with a career-high 125 points despite the fact that the 2020 season was shortened from 22 races to 17 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and despite the fact that he tested positive for COVID-19 himself and was forced to miss both races at Silverstone Circuit.

He led 26 laps throughout the season, which more than doubled his career total (now 49), and he recorded career-highs in average starting position (7.4) and average finishing position (7.4).

In his 190th start in the Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit earlier this month, he secured the first victory of his 10-year career, which marked the latest ever a driver had secured his first career win.

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Verstappen remains under contract with the team through the 2023 season after signing a multi-year extension back in January. Notably, Perez is set to enter the 2021 season having won a series-high six consecutive teammate battles in the driver standings. Verstappen has won three in a row.

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