‘Perez to Alfa, Vettel to Aston Martin, Kimi is out’ ?

Sergio Perez's role in helping Racing Point survive in Formula 1, plus his loyalty in committing his long-term future to the team, will factor into the decision on his future.

The Mexican was instrumental in taking action back in 2018 that allowed the then Force India team to enter administration so it could be rescued by new investors.

In the end, Lawrence Stroll was able to step in and take over the outfit, which has gone from strength to strength since.

Last year, Perez duly agreed to tie himself to the team until the end of 2022, even though there were still potential vacancies at front running teams like Mercedes and Ferrari.

Despite all that, Stroll is currently evaluating whether or not to replace the Mexican with Sebastian Vettel - whom he has held discussions with about joining the Silverstone-based outfit. There is understood to be a break clause in Perez's contract that would allow the team to drop him.

Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer insists that no decision has been made yet though, with Vettel himself clear that there have only been "loose talks".

Asked by Autosport if Perez's loyalty, and the role he played in helping the team survive 2018 would be a factor in him keeping his seat, Szafnauer said: "I think the fact that he has got a signed contract will be a key factor that means we keep him.

"But I know what you're asking, and Sergio has been loyal to us. He's been here for a long time. He's a great racer, works well with the team and he works well with Lance [Stroll] and he helps Lance so I'm sure all those factors do matter."

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/150789/racing-point-wont-ignore-perez-loyalty-in-vettel-call

 

Imagine he gets the sack after playing that key role, that saved 100s of jobs?

 

Stroll wiling to pay off Perez, then pay for Vettel. Makes little sense financially to waste paying off Perez then paying more for Seb.

Its insulting to Perez. They exist only because of Perez overall. Not Stroll.

 

Insulting people is a speciality of Lawrence Stroll. One more or less won't make a difference.

 

F1 is a cut throat business. Unfortunately, just like life there's no promises that you'll reap what you've sewn.

I understand why Racing Point / Stroll / Aston would want Vettle. Yes it's true the Vettle we have today isn't the Vettle we saw at Minardi up through the end of his 4 WDC's, but he's still one of the fastest people on the grid. He may not be at the Lewis / MAx level, but he's not far off. Also, once out from the (sorry about this) toxic pressure cooker of Ferrari politics, we may see a resurgence in his spirits and apparent ability. Aston Martin, while not as big as Merc, Ferrari, Honda, Renault etc. are still an OEM. I fully understand why they would want a WDC as their lead driver. They want a proven winner as their figurehead. On the flip side, can anyone really fault Stroll for wanting to employee his own son? It sucks for Perez, but that's life.

Now for Perez a move to Alfa may not be the end of the world. He get's back into the Ferrari family and there's definitely an unknown about Ferrari's future #2 driver in the post Vettle era. Don't forget he was in contention (at least in the press) for the #2 seat at Ferrari back in his Sauber days. That may still happen, unlikely, but hey we've had Kimi back to Ferrari, Alonso back to McLaren so I've given up saying never in F1. Also, even if he stays at Alfa, there could be hope. For some reason people are getting all up tight about 'Tracing Point' or the 'Mercede's Jr team'. If that's been proven legal under the rules, so what's to stop Ferrari / Alfa doing something similar over the next couple of years. If Ferrari / Alfa / Agnello / FCA / Stellantis etc. have any brains, they'll follow suit and push Alfa way way up the grid.

 

I've said this in another thread.

IF Seb comes aboard soon to be Aston Martin F1(green livery would be cool), it would make perfect sense from a financial AND performance background to:

1.) Keep Perez because of his performance but also his financial sponsors-->he brings 3 big sponsors with him so paying Perez is not that big moneywise.

2.) Pay Seb.

3.) Move Stroll to a reserve driver status, so the money outlay would be minimal. Also to see how Seb does with the new outfit.

 

Sainz and Charles are the future. I have zero care or faith in Vettel. Hes proven how weak his race craft is unless he is in the perfect car on P1. Does anyone think he has changed lol. Ask your spouse if you have changed or her ability to change you lol!!

 

I like your idea but this is the Stroll show in the car and in the Executive office. Perez appears expendable and was used to get only what Stroll wanted for his marginally talented son. All Stroll all the time. Poor Seb if he does not see he is expendable there. He thought Arriva was bad lol

 

Your reasoning makes sense for any normal person, but not for Lawrence Stroll.

 

If F1 is truly a cut throat business, Seb goes to Aston, Kimi stays at Alfa and Li’l Stroll goes home......
Somehow that does not look likely.....

 

If Lawrence is serious about doing well, he will keep Perez, add Vettel, and pay Alfa to take Lance.

 

We have a winner here...

 

If Lawrence Sr. is serious about owning a top-of-the-line race team, yes--it would even cost him less money.

But every indication so far is that he is simply trying to get his son to the forward end of the grid.

 

He is only financially involved in this sport to make his son a champion.

 

Initially yes, but now that his team is all of the sudden competitive, he may change his goals.

 

Competitive until Mercedes makes changes again like for next year. Then again 2022. Pink Clone India now are dependent on Mercedes and their ability to openly not develop the car until Mercedes has. Let us all clone a Mercedes to make the grid to hope to be competitive.

 

Discern what they want to do in the future is difficult. Beef up design team costs money with a cost cap. Seems they are sized for what they can afford now much like Haas. I have the feeling they are tied to Mercedes for the future. They dont 'need' to win, just score podium occasionally and points to keep the 'investors' happy. Between Red Bull/Ferrari and Mercedes who has the budget to be designing the next car and now? The money Clone-India need has to be won this year and next.

 

But it's clear he doesn't have natural talent...it's pissing against the wind hoping lance will one day be naturally fast.

Don't forget that by the time he came to F1, he has as much Turbo Hybrid F1 experience as every other driver on the grid, if not more.

Of course drivers improve over time, but those are small refinements (look at Verstappen pre 2018...whilst obviously very talented, he had to learn patience).

Keeping lance around 5 more years we will not see a significant improvement.

 

https://www.planetf1.com/news/jordan-would-choose-against-signing-ageing-vettel/

Ex-team boss Eddie Jordan has said the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to deciding whether to sign Sebastian Vettel for 2021.

Vettel’s current Ferrari contract expires at the end of the 2020 season and will not be renewed by the Scuderia, leaving the four-time World Champion on the hunt for a new seat with a new team.


With Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren and Renault all overlooking Vettel, Racing Point has emerged as the strong favourite to sign him with Racing Point set to trigger a release clause in Sergio Perez’s contractin order to make room for him.

But while Jordan feels Racing Point would be making a statement signing a high-calibre name such as Vettel to help kick-start the Aston Martin era, his age (33) and motivation could work against him.

“Of course you’d love [Vettel] in the car,” Jordan told the F1 Nation podcast.

“I got my best results, if you like, my first ever win was with Damon Hill, and he was bordering on retiring age… So for sure, four times world champion, Vettel is a huge prize for any team.

“But would you destroy the team that has Sergio, plus income, plus money, and a good rhythm inside the team?

“Can Vettel rekindle a kind of sparkle and a fire and the enthusiasm and the charisma that he had? It’s going to be difficult at his age. Would I employ him? Probably not, because I think there’s far, far too many young kids coming through.”

 

only if he starts shaving........