Lewis Hamilton sings Sergio Perez at Red Bull signing for F1 2021

Lewis Hamilton says Red Bull’s decision to sign Sergio Perez for 2021 will make life “much harder” for Mercedes; Max Verstappen enjoys battle against new team-mate and believes will help Red Bull challenge for title

Lewis Hamilton says he is “so pleased” that Sergio Perez is signed by Red Bull for 2021 and maintains that Mercedes is betrayed for a closer F1 battle with the united threat “more strong “from Mexico and Max Verstappen.

After months of speculation, Perez was confirmed last Friday as Alex Albon’s replacement for next season, with Red Bull hoping to become the former Racing Point driver, standout player and race winner in 2020 , helping Verstappen challenge Mercedes. That was often not possible with Albon, despite two podiums, he struggled for consistent form.

And Hamilton, praising Red Bull’s decision at the FIA ​​Awards Ceremony, says the team is now a much bigger threat.

“With all due respect to Alex, in the races we’ve been I and Valtteri (Bottas) are up against Max,” Hamilton said.

“Now I’ve been in the situation that Max is in, once especially when I was at McLaren when I was in the main car and the second car didn’t fight and so when we fight against Ferrari they could move around with their strategy and make it a lot harder for us.

“I think naturally this makes Red Bull stronger, especially with the way Sergio performs. I think Sergio has driven remarkably am- years and really deserved to drive so I was so happy to hear that he was taken over by one of the best teams and given this opportunity.

“I think it’s going to be an exciting battle to watch against Max and that’s going to make it a lot harder for us as a team.”

Hamilton made the comments before marking his seventh F1 title and Mercedes the seventh clean sweep of the titles in a row.

But he said: “We need to bring our game to fruition [in 2021], because that is going to be a battle that we have not seen in a long time, because the two drivers there will be fighting against us.

“But we’re happy as a team, that’s what we’re working towards, we love the challenge and it’s going to make it a lot more exciting.”

Verstappen: Now we can fight

Verstappen was the only non-Mercedes driver to win more than one race this season and finished third in the cup, just nine points behind Bottas in the other Silver Arrow.

That was despite the fact that the global conquerors were fighting on their own more often than not, and the Dutchman said Perez had a “good season”, which finished a place behind him in the standings, and will help Red Bull at the front.

The signing can also bring Verstappen’s first face-to-face battle with teammates from the days of Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz.

“I don’t think it will change anything to my performance, it’s more that we have a second car that can be up there the whole race, trying to put a little bit of pressure on it,” said the council. Dutch.

“For example, in Abu Dhabi at the end, I think Alex was very close and it just prevents most of Mercedes’ time from trying to stop extra or whatever it is and then I am in more trouble.

“Most of the time when we were more competitive this year, I was the only car trying to beat them and trying to do something different but they can make a proper strategy with one of them because they always cover me with one car So it was always a bit difficult to fight them.

“I just hope Checo is the best first to push the whole team forward, but also to keep me on my toes, which is always a nice teammate to push you, it ‘s exciting. And then hopefully, with a little more competitive car at the start, we can just make it a little more interesting and harder for them to make decisions. “

When asked if he helped Red Bull make the decision, with Albon returning to the team’s test and reserve driver, Verstappen explained: “Of course we talked about it.

“I just gave my honest opinion and I think it was very clear all year round that it was sometimes difficult for Alex. He’s a good guy, honestly, and I’m glad he’s a part of the team yet.

“At the end of the day, it’s Helmut and Christian, and Dietrich, who make the decision. I knew a little bit before but at the end of the day that doesn’t really matter.”