Release date: October 31, 2020
Both Sergio Perez and Nico Hülkenberg have “the mental hardness” to face Max Verstappen should either land a Red Bull seat, says Otmar Szafnauer.
The duo, both with no drive for the championship next year, have been linked to Red Bull.
Although the team publicly supported Albon to keep his seat, team boss Christian Horner recently admitted that “there are obviously some quality drivers on the market who could be unemployed for the next year”.
When asked about Perez and Hülkenberg, he replied: “If you have drivers of this caliber on the open market, you must of course examine and evaluate all the options.”
Szafnauer, who knows both drivers well, believes that he has what it takes to compete against Verstappen, which Albon finds difficult.
“Both have the mental ability and the mental toughness to fit in next to Max,” he told RaceFans, “both.”
Hulkenberg drove for the team under the Force India banner from 2012 to 2016 before moving to Renault. He was also present on three race weekends that season when the team’s drivers, first Perez and then Lance Stroll, fell ill.
In two of these three races, Hulkenberg scored 10 points.
Perez has been with the team since 2014 and has five podium results.
Get the official Racing Point 2020 collection through the Formula 1 store
The Racing Point boss added: “We pride ourselves on choosing good drivers.
“I think when I look back historically – and it had nothing to do with me, I don’t take credit – but even in the Jordan Michael says [Schumacher] was the first to drive for Eddie [Jordan]Eddie chose good drivers.
“And in the days of Force India too. I remember when I came here I didn’t choose them, but Adrian Sutil was very quick. We had some good drivers here. “
The next season, Perez was eliminated from Racing Point, which will be renamed Aston Martin.
Instead, his racing seat goes to Sebastian Vettel, who will work with the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, Lance Stroll.
Szafnauer is confident that the team will again set up a strong line-up.
“I think in the past and hopefully in the future, including Lance and Seb, we pride ourselves on choosing good drivers,” he added.
“And in the days of Force India too. I remember when I came here I didn’t choose them, but Adrian Sutil was very quick. We had some good drivers here. “
Follow us on Twitter @ Planet_F1 and like ours Facebook site.
