Can Red Bull Racing now compete with Mercedes? 'They were being played with'

After attempts to deploy Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon alongside Verstappen, Red Bull have given up hope for the time being. Since the departure of Daniel Ricciardo, no teammate has come close to Verstappen, who has also had to carry the team since then. In 2021, however, Max will have a formidable competitor in Perez.

Verstappen gets a tough challenge

"With Perez, a whole new world will open up. I'm not saying he'll be mega-fast right from the start, and I don't think he'll be great in qualifying either. However, with ten years of experience with different teams, he knows exactly how to be the best on Sunday when it matters," Doornbos told Motorsport-total.com .

"That's what Red Bull have been looking for, so they can play with Mercedes on Sunday, instead of playing with them. Like an athlete, however, you have to be selfish to get to the top, and think you are the best." Doornbos, therefore, expects it to be tougher for Max in 2021, but certainly not impossible.

The number one at Red Bull

"If they both have a strong start to the season, then Red Bull will be the last team to start handing out number one and number two status right away. Red Bull will always support talent. They have to do it themselves, without crashing. But Red Bull is Verstappen, so it is a bold move by Perez, which Red Bull obviously could not refuse."

Doornbos did assume that Verstappen will eventually win the duel with Perez, but the Dutchman will not get it on a silver platter like in recent seasons. "Once it is clear, Perez will also be mature enough to accept that he has to play the role of second driver," the former Red Bull Racing driver concluded.