Sergio Perez Will Make Big Difference in Red Bull Racing, Says Pundit

KEY POINTS

Sergio Perez will partner Verstappen at Red Bull in 2021
Red Bull is keen to challenge Mercedes in the Constructors' championship
Perez was let go by Racing Point in favor of Sebastian Vettel

Sergio Perez was confirmed as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing for the 2021 season after he was let go by Racing Point following a stellar campaign for them in 2020.

It is the first time since 2007 that Red Bull has looked outside their pool of young drivers for a candidate.

Red Bull will certainly provide Perez a chance to add more glimmer to his curriculum vitae. However, renowned motorsports journalist Mark Hughes believes it will be a big surprise if the Mexican challenges Verstappen for supremacy within the team.

Hughes went on to suggest that Perez will be relegated to the same role Valtteri Bottas has played to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

He is expected to be a second fiddle and bring in the required points to help Red Bull challenge the Silver Arrows team in the Constructors’ Championship in 2021.

“Will he do the job that Red Bull was seeking from Albon of being strong support on race day? Absolutely. In that sense, he will be Red Bull’s Bottas. Will he provide any noticeable in-team competition for Verstappen over the season? I’d be amazed if that were the case,” Hughes wrote in his column for Motorsport Magazine.

Hughes also commented on why Perez’s stock was sky high this season. He thinks that it was because for the first time in his F1 career, the Mexican driver was given a car that could compete at the sharp end of the grid.

“But perception is all--and the perception of this year is that he has been brilliant. The reality is he’s the same formidable driver he’s always been--but in a much more competitive car, and with a teammate in Lance Stroll, who lacks consistency,” Hughes said.

“Valtteri Bottas’ stock is not high after yet another season of being soundly thrashed by Lewis Hamilton," he continued. "But as a mental exercise, swap Bottas and Perez around in the season just gone, with Bottas leading Racing Point in the pink Mercedes, Perez in the works Mercedes alongside Hamilton. Bottas’ stock would be sky-high. Perez’s would be sagging.”