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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff looks on in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff looks on in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Red Bull signed Sergio Perez for their 2021 campaign over Alex Albon and Hulkenberg, the other primary contenders. The F1 community was glad that a 2020 race winner will continue to stay in F1. However, there were a lot of questions regarding what gave Checo the edge, and recently, Toto Wolff addressed the same.
In an interview post the official announcement, the team’s Supremo, Helmut Marko, clarified the reasons. He acknowledged the Mexican’s impressive performance and pointed out that the key reason was information about the Mercedes power unit that he brings to the team.
Mercedes F1 Boss, Wolff, gave his opinion on Red Bull’s decision to sign Perez. “Sergio has been on the road with a Mercedes engine for many years and of course knows the engine’s performance potential and the different modes that can be driven.
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HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY – JULY 22: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Force India looks on before the Formula One Grand Prix of Germany at Hockenheimring on July 22, 2018 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“He will certainly give this input to Honda The driver who was brought into the team at this point will not change much about the overall performance of the unit or how the engine can be fine-tuned so that it works and the energy is available at the right time.
“Nonetheless, he knows how the Mercedes engine works and that will be an interesting input for Honda,” explained Toto Wolff.
ALSO READ – Toto Wolff: How Did a Candle Seller Go on to Run the Mercedes F1 Team?
Red Bull is Mercedes’ first competitor, claims Toto Wolff
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Red Bull finished the last season at the P2 position. However, there was a significant difference of 254 points to Mercedes at the top of the standings. Wolff also explains that the along with Max Verstappen’s threat, Sergio Perez will also become a challenger on the grid.
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing prepares to drive on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
“With Max you have a young driver who is trying to follow in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, they have a driver who can also score points in the constructors’ championship. That’s why I would see Red Bull as, say, the first competitor,” Wolff stated.
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Red Bull definitely has a stronger driver lineup on the paper. However, the car is not easy to control and Perez did experience that this past week.
Do you think that the Mexican‘s knowledge about the Mercedes power unit will give Red Bull an added advantage this season?
