The Mexican extended his link with the Austrian team for another year, but what motivated this decision?
The Austrian team Red Bull opted for renovate one more year to Czech Perez heading for the 2022 season. The Mexican has one win and two podiums with the energy drink and is currently fifth in the drivers ’championship. Despite the ups and downs he has suffered this year, we told you the reasons why the team decided to extend the stay of the pilot tapatío.
1.- They want to maintain continuity after many years of instability
Red Bull suffer when you find a good partner in Max Verstappen after the departure of Daniel Ricciardo in 2018. Pierre Gasly arrived who was very far from expectations and Alexander Albon was gradually diluting being behind the Dutchman.
Finally they decided to bet on someone outside their pilot academy and take advantage of the experience of the Mexican who has 10 years in the formula 1.
2.- Checo Pérez far exceeded the performance of his predecessors
As we mentioned in the previous point, Czech Perez he achieved by far what Gasly and Albon could not do in two years. To the tapatío six races were enough to him to secure his first victory and podium with the equipment, situation that never secured the Frenchman, whereas Albon had to wait for up to 18 great prizes.
3.- There was no clear option to replace the Mexican
In the hypothetical case that Red Bull he was not convinced of its continuity, nor were there strong names to replace him. Both Gasly and Albon are completely ruled out by their background. Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri (affiliate team) is just in its first year in the category far from its best version. On the other hand, most of the pilots were already renewed, so it was more feasible and feasible to renew for one more season.
4.- It is a great complement for Max Verstappen in the constructors’ championship
Czech Perez has shown that the team can trust him. In Baku almost the entire career of the champion was defended Lewis Hamilton and took the victory when Verstappen abandon in the last laps. In France he let the Dutchman through in the fight against the Mercedes and they both finished on the podium.
Red Bull is aware that this year is a strong opportunity to break with Mercedes ’hegemony in the team world. Verstappen in recent years he has competed literally only with Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. He now has a teammate who focuses primarily on the team’s goals.
5.- It has the support of the key men of the team
It was not an easy decision to sign on Czech Perez for the 2021 season. He is the first runner not to be part of the Junior Team since Mark Webber in 2007. But he convinced director Christian Horner and in his right hand Helmut Marko join the ranks of the team. They have always shown respect and constructive criticism in their statements in favor of the Mexican pilot. They know of its potential and what it can bring.
Information from Sebastián Aceves was used in the drafting of this note.