Sergio Perez not ruling out Red Bull “option” for F1 2021

Sergio Perez has indicated that Red Bull is an “option” for him as he looks to secure a drive for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Perez is without a seat for next year having been replaced at Racing Point by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, and faces limited options with very few spaces left available on the 2021 grid.

The Mexican had been linked to both Williams and Alfa Romeo, but both teams confirmed an unchanged driver line-up for next year, taking a further four seats out of the picture.

Red Bull is yet to decide whether it wants to keep Alex Albon alongside Max Verstappen for next year and has openly admitted it would look outside of its talent pool should it opt to drop the under-pressure Thai racer.

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Asked if a move to Red bull is a realistic option for him, Perez replied: “I don’t rule them out, I think, at the moment.

“Until they’re not confirmed they’re an option, the same as every team that hasn’t confirmed.  I think as the time is running there is very, very few opportunities to remain on the grid for next year.

“I think there is a very thin line in there,” he added. "There is a time where you take the risk, wait, and then see what happens.

“The season is coming to an end so I think it’s important for teams to know what’s going on, what’s happening going forward and for drivers too. I’m looking at all my possible options and I cannot take too long any more.”

Asked whether he would accept a ‘number two’ status at Red Bull alongside Verstappen, Perez said: “I haven’t thought about it in detail.

“The number two status is given on track. I would be very surprised if there is a team that when you come tells you that you are already a number two. I would be surprised on that, but obviously I don’t know how things work at Red Bull.”