Opinion: Red Bull should jump at the chance to sign Sergio Perez

Column

9 September 2020 at 20:11
Last update 9 September 2020 at 20:42
18
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

On Wednesday evening, Sergio Perez announced that he will leave Racing Point when the 2020 Formula 1 season comes to an end. It looks like the four-time World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, will join Lance Stroll at the team next season. The team, owned by Lance's father, will be called Aston Martin in 2021. 

Perez started his Formula 1 career back in 2011. Fast-forward 182 Grands Prix and the Mexican has recorded eight podiums, five at his current team under the name Force India. Before the announcement this evening, Perez was on a three-year contract which has clearly been broken.

What's next for Sergio Perez?

Perez has made it clear he wants to stay in Formula 1. In his statement, he says: "My intention is to keep racing here, but that would depend on finding a project that motivates me to continue giving 100 percent in each lap." 

Presumably, this rules out Alfa Romeo and Haas who aren't exactly moving forward. They're further down the grid than Racing Point. With a misfiring Ferrari engine, it doesn't look like they'll be improving over the winter. Not exactly motivating...

Red Bull then...?

Red Bull Racing are a stubborn lot. Through history, they've had the best driver academy producing many talents including Vettel and more recently Max Verstappen. In the last 12 months, they've swapped around Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon to try and find the perfect driver to supplement their Dutch star. 

But surely this move provides the instigation for Helmut Marko to buck the trend and dip outside their driver academy. Perez has talent. He's been one of the most consistent drivers outside the big three teams in the current era of Formula 1. He finished seventh in the World Championship for two years running (2016 and 2017) plus an eight place in 2018. Best of the rest. 

Not only that, but Perez also has bags of experience in different cars. During the 2020 season, it's clear Red Bull are struggling to find the perfect balance with the RB16. It seems like there's a good car in there, but they can't seem to unlock it's potential. Using Perez's experience, he might find the missing pieces. A little bit of extra guidance required. A different view when it comes to driver feedback.  

Clearly, Red Bull Racing want to make Verstappen champion. Make no bones about it, the nine-time Grand Prix is capable of mixing it with the likes of Lewis Hamilton when he has the chance. Ever since Daniel Ricciardo departed for Renault, he hasn't had a second driver supporting him on the grid. Gasly and Albon have been regularly at least four or five places behind in qualifying. He needs support and Perez is a man available to do this. The 22-year-old also needs another driver to take points off Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. 

Surely it's the perfect fit. An answer to many of their problems. A driver of Perez's ability doesn't come available very often. It may also provide a tasty teammate prospect of Gasly v Albon at AlphaTauri.