Perez to replace Albon at Red Bull Racing

Sergio Perez will line up alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing for 2021 season, the team has confirmed.

The Mexican left the Racing Point team, formerly Force India, after joining in 2014, after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Despite missing two races last season after testing positive for Covid-19, Perez finished fourth in the driver's championship, taking a second place finish and victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix two weeks ago.

His F1 career began at Sauber in 2011 where he became known his his driving style and ability to take care of his tyres. In only his second season, he narrowly missed out on victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2012, but took his first podium in second spot. Two more podiums would follow that season, earning him a spot at McLaren, vacated by Lewis Hamilton, for 2013.

But his arrival coincided with McLaren's downturn in form, and he was replaced at the end of the season by Kevin Magnussen. Perez moved to Force India for 2014 and it began the resurgence in his career. Securing a podium for the team in just his third outing, Perez would go on to score four top-three finishes before the team transitioned into Racing Point during the 2018 season.

His departure from the Silverstone-based team at the end of the 2020 season was confirmed when Sebastian Vettel agreed a deal after leaving Ferrari, and Perez's future appeared to be out of F1.

However, with speculation swirling around Alex Albon's future at Tilbrook, Perez was the obvious candidate to take over alongside Verstappen.

Albon will remain a reserve and test driver for Red Bull next season, after two podium finishes in his only full campaign with the team.

Discussing the decision, team boss Christian Horner said: “Alex is a valued member of the team and we thought long and hard about this decision.

"Having taken our time to evaluate all the relevant data and performances we have decided that Sergio is the right driver to partner Max for 2021 and look forward to welcoming him to Red Bull Racing.

"Alex remains an important part of our team as test and reserve rriver with a key focus on 2022 development and we would like to thank him for his hard work and contribution.”