Sergio Perez’s performances over the 2020 Formula 1 season made it “impossible” for Red Bull to turn down the chance to sign him, according to team boss Christian Horner.
Red Bull announced last week it had signed Perez to partner Max Verstappen next season, replacing Alexander Albon who will remain with the team in a test and development role.
This year proved Perez’s best season since making his F1 debut for Sauber in 2011, finishing fourth in the drivers’ championship and claiming his first win at the penultimate round in Sakhir.
Horner acknowledged the decision to drop Albon was tough, but was clear Perez’s form for Racing Point could not be overlooked.
“The decision has been an incredibly hard one,” Horner said, as quoted by Motorsport.com.
“I think all of us wanted to see Alex succeed. What we said was that we would give Alex the season, and not make any decisions before, to have a complete set of data. And that’s obviously what we did.
“But when you look at the data, and you look at the ratio between the two drivers, it was a decision that was obviously very much driven by that.
“It was just impossible to ignore Sergio’s performance in the Racing Point over the course of the year, and particularly, in the second half the season.
“So a very, very difficult decision, made even harder by the fact that Alex is a such a lovely guy.
“But he remains an important part of the team, and very much part of the team for 2021, focusing primarily on 2022 development. And, of course, he’ll be very focused in terms of making himself a contender to be back in 2022.”
Red Bull finished second in the constructors’ standings for the first time since 2016, and Horner believes singing someone of Perez’s calibre will aid its hopes of challenging Mercedes in 2021.
“He’s a very rounded driver now and I think he has an uncanny ability to over deliver in machinery he has had available to him,” Horner said.
“If you look at the amount of podiums and success that he’s had over the over the years, I think he’ll be a good addition to the team. I think it shows again, our determination to field a competitive team against Mercedes next year.”
Perez hasn’t driven for a race-winning team since his sole year at McLaren in 2013 that ended with him losing his seat after a difficult year.
Horner is wary of the challenge the Mexican faces in going up against Verstappen, but believes he and the team are aligned in their expectations.
“I think both parties are very realistic,” he said. “I think he knows the quality of Max.
“He’s a seasoned racer now. He has a huge amount of experience and I think he knows what he’s going up against in the quality of Max.
“He’s been in immense form in the last couple of years, so I don’t think he underestimates that challenge in any shape or form. But I think he’s absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to prove himself.”
Pressed on whether he was concerned the pair could prove difficult to handle if they battle each other hard, Horner said: “I think we want our drivers racing close to each other, but up the sharp end.
“It’s clear our objective isn’t between the two drivers, it’s trying to close the gap to Mercedes. I think Sergio raced for several seasons with Nico Hulkenberg and I don’t remember there being any issues between those two.”
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