Red Bull explains team bosses photo with Perez at Abu Dhabi GP
Red Bull has explained the background to a photo of Sergio Perez with team chiefs in Abu Dhabi, taken prior to him being announced as its 2021 Formula 1 driver
With Red Bull deciding that Alex Albon had not delivered the consistency and rate of improvement it had hoped for, it elected to commit to Perez for next year.
Both drivers were informed of the decision on the Friday after the season finale in Abu Dhabi, with the news being made official shortly afterwards.
However, there was some intrigue prompted by a picture that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner posted on Instagram shortly after the announcement was made, which Perez also posted to his social media accounts, showing the Mexican driver with Horner and Helmut Marko.
After nearly 12 years we will work together again, mate. Thank You Christian Horner for this great opportunity.
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) December 19, 2020
Helmut Marko, I'm very happy and thankful for the confidence placed in me, I'm going to work very hard to help this team to bring one more Championship #givesyouwings? pic.twitter.com/j2cJarBLon
Eagle-eyed observers noted that the photo appeared to have been taken in Abu Dhabi, with the curtain design being from the track hotel.
Furthermore, Perez was in the same clothes that he had been wearing when he did a helmet swap with Sebastian Vettel after the Yas Marina race.
¡Intercambio de cascos con buenos amigos! #F1 pic.twitter.com/rJkuGydmFX
— Sergio Pérez (@SChecoPerez) December 14, 2020
Speaking exclusively to Autosport about the photo, Marko confirmed that it was indeed taken in Abu Dhabi - but he has denied that a final decision had been taken at that point.
"A photo has nothing to do with signing a contract," explained Marko. "It was a social meeting and at that time, nothing was 100% definite. We took the photo in case it became definite. Signatures can be done electronically these days."
Asked if the picture had been taken on Sunday night or Monday morning, Marko said: "I honestly don't remember exactly. It was a turbulent weekend. And the opportunity was there because, after all, we weren't allowed out of the hotel because of the COVID-19 regulations."
Despite Red Bull's hopes of the photo not being traced back to being taken in Abu Dhabi, Marko said that both the curtains and Perez's clothes had given the game away.
"Perez was wearing the same shirt as when Vettel handed over his helmet," he smiled. "That gave us away rather than the curtains."
Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2020
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher set for "difficult" learning curve in first F1 season
Why Piastri's attempt to join McLaren carries implications of risk
After the 2006 Formula 1 British GP, Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony was a frustrated man, despite his son - at the time a star in GP2 - having just scored a memorable double win in that weekend's feature and sprint events.
Alpine: Ocon has what it takes to lead the F1 team in 2023
Alpine Formula 1 boss Otmar Szafnauer believes that Esteban Ocon has what it takes to lead the team following Fernando Alonso’s departure at the end of this season.
McLaren explains gaps between F1 qualifying and race pace
McLaren Formula 1 team boss Andreas Seidl has explained that being able to mask the car's lack of downforce in qualifying is behind the large discrepancy to its race pace.
Perez: DNFs have been "killing" my F1 season so far
Sergio Perez still believes “everything is open” in the Formula 1 title battles after the summer break despite some DNFs “killing” his season so far.
Why few could blame Leclerc for following the example of Hamilton’s exit bombshell
OPINION: Ferrari's numerous strategy blunders, as well as some of his own mistakes, have cost Charles Leclerc dearly in the 2022 Formula 1 title battle in the first half of the season. Though he is locked into a deal with Ferrari, few could blame Leclerc if he ultimately wanted to look elsewhere - just as Lewis Hamilton did with McLaren 10 years prior
The other McLaren exile hoping to follow Perez's path to a top F1 seat
After being ditched by McLaren earlier in his F1 career Sergio Perez fought his way back into a seat with a leading team. BEN EDWARDS thinks the same could be happening to another member of the current grid
How studying Schumacher helped make Coulthard a McLaren F1 mainstay
Winner of 13 grands prix including Monaco and survivor of a life-changing plane crash, David Coulthard could be forgiven for having eased into a quiet retirement – but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, in fact he’s busier than ever, running an award-winning media company and championing diversity in motor racing. Not bad for someone who, by his own admission, wasn’t quite the fastest driver of his generation…
Could F1 move to a future beyond carbonfibre?
Formula 1 has ambitious goals for improving its carbon footprint, but could this include banishing its favoured composite material? PAT SYMONDS considers the alternatives to carbonfibre and what use, if any, those materials have in a Formula 1 setting
How Russell has proven he deserves to be Hamilton's Mercedes heir
He’s fast, he’s smart, and he’s already shown he’s not going to let Max Verstappen intimidate him. George Russell won’t say it, but LUKE SMITH says he’s ready to take the lead at Mercedes when Lewis Hamilton moves on to a quieter life. And – whisper it – Mercedes and Lewis are starting to think so too
The traits that fuelled Alonso's unexpected Aston Martin move
Fernando Alonso’s bombshell switch to Aston Martin sent shockwaves through Formula 1, not least at Alpine that finds itself tangled in a contract standoff with Oscar Piastri. Not shy of a bold career move and with a CV punctuated by them, there were numerous hints that trouble was brewing
The elements Ferrari must resolve to first save face, then win championships
OPINION: Ferrari's Formula 1 title hopes look all but over after another strategic blunder in last week's Hungarian Grand Prix denied Charles Leclerc the chance to fight for victory, while handing it to chief rival Max Verstappen. The Scuderia now faces intense scrutiny over what it must now do to finally become a genuine factor in championship battles
The clues about Hamilton’s F1 retirement plans revealed after Vettel’s decision
OPINION: Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2022 and will, rather shockingly, be replaced by Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. But what about the final chapter of the other driver that defined the post-Michael Schumacher era? In Hungary, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his future in the context of Vettel’s upcoming departure, which offered clues on how long it will last