Sergio Perez to Red Bull: Dr. Helmut Marko sent Mexican driver congratulatory message after Sakhir GP win, amid suggestions he could replace Alex Albon.
Sergio Perez notched up his first-ever F1 career win at the Sakhir GP, adding icing to the cake of an already brilliant career. He has now revealed he received congratulatory messages from most team bosses, most significantly from Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko.
“I had congratulations messages pretty much from most of the team bosses in F1, including Helmut, so it was nice to have that.”
Perez also added he respects the decision of Red Bull to wait until after the Abu Dhabi GP to take a call on Alex Albon’s retention. And now that he anyway for so long ever since Sebastian Vettel was announced as his replacement at Racing Point/Aston Martin, what’s one more week.
“And regarding any decision, I think what they say publicly is correct. They will make the decision at some point after the weekend. So I don’t know when that decision will be. So there’s not a lot of hurry anymore. It’s the end of the year, and it’s where we are. So we waited so long that now one week or two weeks more is to know our decision, it doesn’t change that much.”
Sergio Perez to return in 2022 if Red Bull ignore him for 2021
The Mexican is at the peak of his career, and it would criminal if Red Bull still decides to continue with the inconsistent and error-prone Albon. The former has also been one of the most consistent drivers in F1 since his Force India days.
When asked what will he do if he doesn’t have a team in F1 next season, he suggested a sabbatical. But more crucially, added that he would be keen to make a return the following year, where the likes of Renault/Alpine, Alfa Romeo, and Williams could be potential options.
“So if I have a seat for next year it’s great. But if not, I’m willing to come back in ’22. I believe that I’m at the peak of my career, and the best years are ahead of me. So even missing a year, next year, I’m determined enough to come back for ’22.”
“So if I have to take a year out, I’ll do it. But I am more determined than ever to come back. And I think the victory gave me some peace to myself, but also a lot more hunger. I want more in the sport. And after you do the first one, you know that you can do it again. And I want to do it many more times again.”
