2021 Options for Red Bull & AlphaTauri

Formula One’s 2021 driver market has been a particularly unusual jigsaw puzzle to complete this year. A flurry of unexpected driver moves followed Ferrari’s surprise dropping of Sebastian Vettel. Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz moved, and then Fernando Alonso announced a return from retirement. Valtteri Bottas stayed in place ahead of George Russell for the sought-after Mercedes seat. And then Vettel finally decided Aston Martin was a fit for him, as Aston Martin felt Sergio Perez’s contract was surplus to requirements.

It’s enough to make your head spin, but aside from Haas, the only remaining pieces to slot in are the spare seats at AlphaTauri and Red Bull (I don’t subscribe to Hamilton retiring this year). Following some criticism that the Red Bull Junior Team talent pool ran dry, the Austrian team somehow now appears to have too many drivers and not enough seats. The only definites we have for 2021 are Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly retaining their drives at Red Bull and AlphaTauri, respectively. But who will partner them?

As with all things in Formula One, there are many, many unknowns, and, at this point, I doubt even the team principals, Christian Horner and Franz Tost, know for sure. The only certainty is that the bigger brother wants to win championships, and whatever route they opt for in 2021 will come with at least one surprise.

Of all the things that will shock me, Albon staying at Red Bull would be the biggest. The Thai driver has not been able to be anywhere near the minimum requirements for Red Bull–i.e., pick up the pieces when Max can’t and provide rear gunner support when he can.

Demoting Albon to AlphaTauri could give him the new lease of life he needs, just like Gasly has had. However, let’s not forget how ruinous that decision was for Daniil Kvyat back in 2016, who descended into obscurity. Which way would Albon fall?

If Red Bull does move Albon aside, the highly speculated replacement is Sergio Perez. Last year it would’ve been unfathomable for Red Bull to have a ‘foreign body’ in their ranks. That he is a serious contender for the seat shows the crisis they face.

If Red Bull didn’t have a driver program, choosing Perez would be a no-brainer. The Mexican is available, hasn’t sat a year out of the sport, and is enjoying the best season of his career. I can’t see Red Bull signing Perez for anything longer a year. They would want to have Gasly, Albon, or anyone who raced with the energy company in a junior series for 2022 and the new regulations. That shouldn’t be an issue for Checo, though, who could use the platform to show he’s as good as some say he is and find himself a drive for the following year.

The other man touted as a possibility is 2020’s super-sub, Nico Hulkenberg. The Hulk has performed admirably in his 3 Grand Prix weekends. He may have finished behind his teammate both races he started, but Nico qualified third for Silverstone’s second event, showing what he’s capable of even in an unfamiliar car. However, we’ve seen with Ocon that shaking off the rust is not easy, so it’s advantage Perez if Red Bull does drop Albon.