'Perez searching for F1 alternatives following Vettel/Racing Point speculation'
- Published on 16 Jul 2020 12:31
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Sergio Perez is being left to hunt for alternative options to race in Formula 1 next year according to reports, following high speculation that Sebastian Vettel will replace him at Racing Point.
The Silverstone-based team will be rebranded to Aston Martin in 2021, one ear before new technical regulations will be introduced.
Perez signed a multi-year agreement with Racing Point last year, which is believed to be complicating the push to bring Vettel on board.
With Lance Stroll being the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, it is not likely that the young Canadian will be forced out of the team.
Perez has raced with Racing Point since 2014, when it ran under the Force India name. The Mexican has scored eight career podiums, all of which came with Force India.
However, with Aston Martin returning as a manufacturer an four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel on the market following his Ferrari departure, it appears the British team is keen on securing the services of the German.
According to ESPN Mexico, Perez is now actively searching for another team to remain on the F1 grid next year.
What options does Perez have?
Out of the front-running teams, there seems to be little space. Mercedes is set to announce Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas soon, while Red Bull has affirmed it is happy with Alexander Albon alongside Max Verstappen for the time being.
The most logical options for Perez are at Haas and Alfa Romeo, with both seats at each team currently open for 2021.
Both teams have endured a difficult start to the 2020 season compared to Racing Point, who is tipped to be the fastest team in the midfield, despite some hiccups at the opening two races in Austria.
In 2018, Perez held talks with Haas regarding a 2019 race deal during a positive season for the American squad, before he opted to re-sign with Force India.
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen are both out of contract at the end of the year, however Haas is still yet to commit long-term to the sport.
Alfa Romeo currently runs with Kimi Raikkonen, who at 40 years of age, says he would like to stay in F1 if he is still having fun on the track.
He is paired up with Antonio Giovinazzi, who has scored five top-ten finishes in his 25 career grand prix starts.
However, Ferrari's junior drivers Mick Schumacher, Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong, who are all racing in F2 this year, have also been linked with an F1 promotion to Alfa Romeo next year.
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Replies (9)
Login to replyJuJuHound
Posts: 352
Houston we have a problem... when one of the best drivers on the grid will be moved out of middle pack team moving to back of the grid just as his car happened to be the best he has driven from beginning of his F1 journey
Kean
Posts: 692
I know. I feel so bad for Perez. If it happens I hope Alfa signs him and Hulkenberg, I think with them in the cars Alfa will score alot more points. Then I'm hoping karma bites Lawrence Stroll in the ass in 2022 when Alfa builds a better car than Aston Martin.
Dert38
Posts: 377
Let's be honest - vettel will be better teacher for Lance as he is way slower than Perez who saved the team.
f1dave
Posts: 782
Lance doesn't need Vettel to teach him how to make mistakes.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Alfa, a better car than Racing Point? That'll take one mighty miracle, Kean. But this situation do suck quite a lot. I wish we had room for both drivers, but unless Kimi departs Alfa, they have no room, as Ferrari will insist on Alfa keeping Gio.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
The timing was bad for both Perez and Renault. Had Renault signed Perez, Perez would have got into a decent mid field team, and Renault would have saved multi millions while getting ( arguably ) 6th best driver on the grid. Vijay Mallya must be the only guy who should be getting a kick out of this news.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
okay _ my hunch of Vettel to Racing Point is coming true, Perez will be, I think``, out of a drive as I dont see him opting to drive in a lesser team the RP, he's got pride after all. Its a bloody shame but it's also business, Vettel is box office, like him or not and he will power Aston Martin's marketing drive.
abhidbgt
Posts: 283
The one that needs to go is Lance Stroll. After that stellar drive last weekend Racing Point would be making a huge mistake to let Sergio go. It's a shame that he might be out of a seat in F1 especially after the fact that they announced a multi-year deal earlier.
f1ski
Posts: 726
Huge mistake by Racing Point. Perez is the only driver on the grid who can make an alternative strategy work. Hulkenberg was the other.