Perez:- Surely he must get a seat?

[NorfolKnGood]

Checo has thrust himself in the shop window since learning he lost his Racing Point drive. And what a job he's done, is he worthy of Albon's seat?
It's a yes from me, would be interesting to learn what everybody else is thinking.

[Dare]

Checo has thrust himself in the shop window since learning he lost his Racing Point drive. And what a job he's done, is he worthy of Albon's seat?
It's a yes from me, would be interesting to learn what everybody else is thinking.

If what was right happened Lance would be looking
for a seat and no Stroll is not good enough for Alban's
seat

[John S]

 Perez owes his seat in F1 to Mexican sponsorship money, yes he is a solid midfield driver but he is still a pay driver like so many others. Just one of those things that Lance can out gun him in the financial stakes.

 Sorry F1 is a ruthless series and Perez has got to the point in his career when at best he is going to be seen as a stop gap No 2 in a top team, and lower teams have better money/support offers for other younger drivers.

I'm not convinced Perez could do any better job for Red Bull than Albon in the RB16 a car that is usually on the edge of adhesion when pushed hard. Alex is a good racer but is young so still learning, he's only in his 2nd season and it's been no easy time being parachuted into the senior team to replace the underperforming Gasly.   

There seems to be support inside the Red Bull organisation for Alex, and it's not just about him being Thai - although if that's in his favour good for him. Horner is nobody's fool and mostly defers to Marko, but in the case of Albon he seems almost to be overruling Helmut.

When Gasly was demoted the main reason Marko gave was Pierre's inability to go forward in a race, he was failing to overtake and often went backwards. I see no evidence that Alex fails the overtaking test, in fact his desire to get stuck in has led to him losing some top place finishes. 

Christian must also have his reasons to favour Alex, on the record he has said several times data reveals race winner Gasly can't do a better job. Seems he won his case as Pierre stays at Alpha Tauri next year.

Red Bull driver scheme has fallen behind other teams and the conveyor belt is mostly empty. IMHO This leaves a problem for RB senior team for 2022 if they sign Perez over Albon next term and it doesn't work out.     

 

[Alianora La Canta]

As it stands, I don't think anyone is a good fit for Albon's seat, but Checo will give it a good go. Alas, if Alex can't get it to work...

[Andy B]

I have faith in AA to get the job done and SP has had 180 opportunities to show what he can do and has only done so when loosing his drive so Adios Cheko!

[cosworth151]

I think RBR's desire of continuity will be the deciding factor that keeps Albon in the seat there.

[Monty]

I think Perez deserves a seat but unfortunately he is paying for his mis-spent youth. He was given some fantastic chances when he was younger but he was a very ragged driver and crashed too many times. He 'matured' very late and all the opportunities have now slipped through his fingers.

[Dare]

I think Alban's podium pretty much ended Perez's
chances for next year. I think what hurt Sergio the most
was when he got the Mclaren ride and it turned out to
be the first in a series of dogs. If the car was decent and Sergio
obtained good results he'd be looked at differently

[Scott]

I think Perez might have a better chance now.

[Andy B]

AA is not doing well and Horner caught shaking his head at AA's qualifying position said a lot so SP must be in the front seats now.

[Jericoke]

AA is not doing well and Horner caught shaking his head at AA's qualifying position said a lot so SP must be in the front seats now.

From the outside, looking in, it certainly seems that way.

Albon did a great job today. He's capable of the aggressive racing that Red Bull favours, he just needs the confidence that Red Bull is slowly learning that throwing a driver into the deep end doesn't generate (Max is a once off exception).  Maybe Albon is a bad fit for RBR, but I've never worked with Checo behind the scenes.  There's got to be RBR personnel who have worked with Checo before and have the inside track on if he'll fit the RBR 'culture' or not. 

A little more food for thought:  Red Bull is a company with TWO owners, Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz, and Thai Chalerm Yoovidhya.  On one hand, it sucks for Perez that he's losing seats to drivers because of their connections, but on the other hand, we remember that's how Perez got such a long stay in F1 without winning.