Hulkenberg waiting for call from Helmut Marko
Oct.27 - Alex Albon only has "two or three races" to prove to Red Bull that he should keep his race seat for 2021.
It is now an open secret that the energy drink company's main F1 team is contemplating going outside of its own driver program by potentially signing Nico Hulkenberg or Sergio Perez as the struggling Albon's successor.
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos thinks Portimao was the final nail in the coffin for the British-born Thai driver.
"If you tell your team that you will improve and you then lose a lap to your teammate, then you lose your reputation as well," he told Ziggo Sport.
"Formula 1 is the ultimate sport - you either eat or you are eaten."
Verstappen admitted in Portugal that he thinks fellow Dutch speaker Nico Hulkenberg would be a "good" teammate for him next year.
But he also says the identity of his teammate is not important.
"When I got into Formula 1, it was useful to have an experienced teammate," said Verstappen.
"But after five or six years in the sport, I don't need a second driver for that. At the moment we are also not strong enough to compete for the championship, so it doesn't matter.
"But if we were close to Mercedes and wanted to do some strategic things, it would be useful to have a second driver there," he acknowledged.
Marko, the boss of Red Bull's driver program, said the time is nearing when the outfit needs to take a decision ahead of the 2021 season.
When asked how much time Albon has left to prove himself, he told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper: "I would say until the beginning of December.
"Two or three races - roughly speaking."
German Hulkenberg told RTL: "I'm waiting for a call from Helmut."
As for whether Verstappen may influence Red Bull's decision, the 23-year-old Dutch driver insisted: "It's not up to me. I don't make that decision.
"The team management ask my opinion, but it doesn't really matter much to me," Verstappen added. "We'll see what happens."
Finally, Verstappen said he is now essentially resigned to the fact that he will finish the 2020 world championship third behind the two Mercedes drivers.
"It would make no sense to take unnecessary risks, as we are normally third anyway," he said when asked about the remaining five races of the season.
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Why not sign Perez?
Perez is very fast and consistent, but I think Red Bull don't want to sign him because he has a long history of conflict when he had teammates who were at his level. We must remember his short stay at McLaren when he had several conflicts with Button on the track and not long time ago when he had multiple crashes with Ocon at Force Incia. Those antecedents do not favor him have the second seat at Red Bull. While it is true that Perez and Hulkenberg were teammates and Perez always finished ahead in the championship, Hulkenberg also proved to be very fast and with a personality that allows the team to stay calm no matter who his teammate is.
first season together Hulkenberg beat Perez 96 to 59 points
It's only a guess, Swede, but maybe it's because PER has options (huge $$$ backing), is a gentleman, and doesn't feel like kissing Marko's butt. HUL needs a ride NOW or his F1 career is truly over and so he is a bit more malleable. Considering Red Bull's imminent challenges and the improvement in the midfield it might not be such a coveted ride. Just speculation.
Humm, interesting points from both of you. PER and HULK are both great drivers.
The lie racist fans; hope this doesn't capitalize; Hulkenberg; Albon hope to stay for next year; to piss off many and including this site
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