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Perez dismissed the escape clause: These options didn't exist for Lance

Perez dismissed the escape clause: "These options didn't exist for Lance"

11-09-2020 16:49 Last update: 17:49
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Racing Point has never considered going for a duo of Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez in 2021. That's what Otmar Szafnauer tells us during the weekend at Mugello. According to the team boss this was contractually not possible and moreover Lance Stroll 'deserves' a spot next to Vettel.

“Lance has been with us for a couple of years, he’s a young man at 21 years old and, yeah, his father does own the team,” said Szafnauer in an interview with The Race.

Terminating Stroll's contract was not an option

A departure by the Canadian has therefore not been mentioned for a moment. "So when we looked to make a driver change because Sebastian became available, it would have been Checo because there are options in his contract and those options didn’t exist for Lance," said the 56-year-old chief.

According to Racing Point, Stroll still has a lot of potential. “Lance is still young and only in his second season with this team. He’s in the ascendancy, enjoying his strongest year in the sport so far and sits fourth in the championship off the back of a podium.

“And there is more potential to come. He’s clearly demonstrating his talent and is fully deserving of his place alongside Sebastian next year.”