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La Gazzetta: Red Bull is considering Perez or Hulkenberg as Verstappen's teammate

La Gazzetta: Red Bull is considering Perez or Hulkenberg as Verstappen's teammate

01-10-2020 16:30 Last update: 18:15
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Alexander Albon has not been convincing this year next to Max Verstappen. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Red Bull Racing is therefore considering replacing the driver with Sergio Perez or Nico Hulkenberg.

While Max Verstappen managed to take second place during the Russian Grand Prix, Alexander Albon didn't even come close to the podium. The British Thai drove most of the race outside the points and only managed to finish in tenth place.

According to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Red Bull Racing is fed up with the British Thai. The newspaper claims that the team is looking for another teammate for Verstappen. "For the first time, Red Bull wants to go fishing outside its own stables, where there are currently no drivers ready for the big jump. The return of Pierre Gasly, the winner of Monza in the AlphaTauri, is not an option. Dietrich Mateschitz has ambitious plans for the B team and he can't ignore Gasly."

Familiar names an option for Red Bull

La Gazzetta, therefore, says that the team is looking at two well-known names, which have long been the subject of speculation: "Sergio Perez, who has been dropped by Racing Point to hire Sebastian Vettel, and Nico Hulkenberg, who has returned for two races this year.

"The favourite is the Mexican, as he brings important sponsors to fill his own gap and make an economic contribution to the team. Perez will finally have a place to fight for the podium often, an opportunity he won't have with Haas or Alfa Romeo."

Red Bull has meanwhile said that the plan is to continue with Albon, but the past has shown that that doesn't mean certainty for the driver in question.