'Racing Point has offered Vettel a contract'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Now that Sebastian Vettel is a free driver with effect from 2021, given that Ferrari does not want to continue with him, the German has been associated with several teams. One team that comes back each time is Racing Point, but that creates a complex situation. Lance Stroll is the son of the owner and Sergio Perez has a multi-year contract. Still, a departure of Perez is certainly not excluded, he could go to Alfa Romeo.
Vettel has been offered a contract
In a new article on the Formula 1 website, Lawrence Barretto writes that he has learned from his sources that Sebastian Vettel has been offered a contract. This means that he could come out for Racing Point next year, although nothing has been signed yet. Three drivers and two seats is a bit difficult to combine and since Lance Stroll is more or less safe, Sergio Perez would be without a seat.
That's quite a painful situation - should it come to that - for Perez, since he has been very loyal to the team and at the time even initiated the rescue of Force India (former Racing Point). He is also the better performing driver over Stroll to date. But should Perez leave, there are some options for him, as he enjoys interest from several other motorsport disciplines.
'Alfa Romeo is interested'
Also a Formula 1 team would have contacted Perez and although the Mexican does not want to say who, Barretto writes that his sources suggest that it was Alfa Romeo. That team is now at the back of the field, so it would be a step backwards for Perez. Uncharted territory it is not, however, Perez drove for the then Sauber in 2012.
Alfa Romeo has two places that are now filled, but should Perez switch, he will be sitting next to Antonio Giovinazzi. Kimi Raikkonen would retire at 41, also because his contract expires at the end of this year. For the team the knowledge and experience of Perez would be useful, for Perez racing is not so interesting for Alfa Romeo. After all, he is now in a better car.
Still it is an option, Barretto writes, especially if Perez has no other choice and he doesn't want to stop racing in Formula 1 yet. Another option could possibly be Haas, Perez has already spoken to that team in the past and here he could replace Romain Grosjean in 2021.
It's all very cloudy at the moment and it depends - if all rumors and speculation are true - especially on Vettel whether he actually switches to Racing Point. It could also be that Stroll will be relegated, as other rumors indicate, but that seems an unrealistic scenario for the time being.