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(Motorsport-Total.com) – “It was an incredibly difficult decision,” says Christian Horner. On the one hand, they would have liked to continue with Alexander Albon. On the other hand, Sergio Pérez convinced in the 2020 Formula 1 season. This is the short version of the reason why Red Bull chose Pérez as Max Verstappen’s new teammate.
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Sergio Pérez: his convincing 2020 brought him the Red Bull cockpit Focus
Albon had his chance, Horner emphasizes, saying, “I think we all would have liked to see Alex succeed.”
“The bottom line was that we said we would give him [komplette] Season and only then make the decision to have a complete record. This is how we did it. “
“Decision based on data” against Albon
The result is a difference between Albon and Verstappen, and probably not too close: in the qualifying match, Albon fell 0:17 against Verstappen, usually several tenths of a second missing his teammate. And while Verstappen scored two wins and 214 points in third place at the World Cup, Albon only came in seventh with 105 points and two third places – very little from Red Bull’s point of view.
It was “of course a very data-driven decision,” says Horner. More so because, in parallel to Albons, the comparatively weak appearance at Red Bull Pérez has been featured repeatedly at Racing Point. Horner: “It was impossible to ignore Sergio’s performance throughout the season, especially in the second half of the season.”
However, the decision was not easy. It was even made more difficult by the fact that “Alex is such a nice guy,” as Horner puts it. But Albon has a future at Red Bull: As a test and replacement driver, he will participate in development for 2022 in 2021. “Then he can position himself for a comeback in the 2022 season,” Horner said. (Summary: drivers and teams for 2021!)
No external pressure for decision
The Red Bull team boss is asked why his team took so long to make the decision. Of course, against the background of Albons’s form curve showing no significant advancement during the season.
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Horner’s response: “We weren’t under pressure at all. There was no more [freien] More cabs in Formula 1. Of course we had options on Alex, so there was no pressure there either. Sergio also had nothing to lose by waiting. So it made sense to give Alex the full season before we made the decision. “
Also, no one from Red Bull’s youth program for the cockpit, Horner continues. At least there were no “suitable” drivers. And “that’s why we were looking for a pilot outside of him for the first time since 2007.”
Perez is supposed to help tease Mercedes
Perez “earned” his regular place at Red Bull, Horner explains. And Red Bull, in turn, needed a change. “I think we have to have the strongest team if we want to face Mercedes. But you have to do that with both cars,” Horner said.
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Helmut Marko (left) and Christian Horner (right) with their new driver Pérez Focus
“Sergio brings the necessary experience and a lot of knowledge. He should be a good teammate for Max next year.”
However, according to Horner, Perez only got his “impressive 2020 season” on the Red Bull roster. “It wasn’t really on our radar before because we always had options in our junior program,” the team chief said.
There was also “no one else” except Albon and Pérez, with whom the team had serious conversations. “There was once a short conversation with Nico Hülkenberg,” says Horner. “Otherwise things really got going last month I would say.” Sebastian Vettel was apparently never a problem.
And the outcome of contract negotiations at Red Bull with Perez as Verstappen’s teammate is “good for Formula 1,” says Horner. “Sergio deserves it. It would have been unfair to have had to take a break next year, given his form this year.”
