When Red Bull had to start looking outside of their driver pool after deciding not to move forward with Alex Albon from 2021 onwards, they opted for the newest race winner, Sergio Perez. A decision that would give Red Bull a very strong lineup for years to come.
However, Helmut Marko has reflected on that decision in a recent interview with OE24, commenting on another driver who may have given Red Bull an even better lineup. Marko confirmed that, in hindsight, they would have picked Nico Hülkenberg, who is Formula 1’s most recent podium finisher.
Helmut Marko looks back on the hiring of Sergio Perez
Formula 1 remains a sport of momentum, as a single good result could very well change the course of your career. Marko has commented on this while reflecting on their driver decision for 2021:
“In hindsight, you’re always smarter. Hülkenberg was in discussions. Then Perez won the race in Bahrain, which was just in the decision-making phase and then tipped the scales.”
“That was before we took Checo Perez. In hindsight, you’re always smarter. Checo won then, Hülkenberg threw races away at the time. Now he’s better. The older he gets, the fewer mistakes he makes. That’s why he has a good contract with Audi.”
Perez ended his career at Red Bull last year after winning two constructors’ titles with the team and aiding Verstappen in winning four drivers’ titles. He is closely associated with one of the seats at Cadillac, which will join the grid in 2026.
Ralf Schumacher provides unique insight into 2021 driver decision
In an interview with Sky Deutschland, Ralf Schumacher has talked about the choice between Perez and Hulkenberg, reflecting on what could have been:
“The mistake from the start was not putting Nico Hülkenberg in the car. That was Christian Horner’s decision. That’s what I heard. But they needed a clear, experienced number two alongside Max Verstappen. And I think that would have worked well.”
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With Red Bull’s performance continuing to dwindle over the last few years, it’ll be interesting to imagine what the ground effect era could have looked like. Additionally, with the driver market in a state of uncertainty, we might not have to wonder all that much.
