Red Bull has officially confirmed that Sergio Perez will race for the Milton Keynes-based outfit next season alongside Max Verstappen.
Alex Albon's spell in F1 therefore comes to temporary halt, but the Britis-Thai racer will remain Red Bull's test and reserve driver for 2021, with "a key focus on 2022 development, simulator work and tyre testing," the team said.
"Alex is a valued member of the Team and we thought long and hard about this decision," commented RBR team boss Christian Horner.
"Having taken our time to evaluate all the relevant data and performances we have decided that Sergio is the right driver to partner Max for 2021 and look forward to welcoming him to Red Bull Racing.
"Alex remains an important part of our Team as Test and Reserve Driver with a key focus on 2022 development and we would like to thank him for his hard work and contribution."
Perez's nomination will obviously thrill the Mexican's many fans who rightly would have considered a tragedy the 30-year-old's absence from the sport in 2021, what's more after winning his maiden Grand Prix earlier this month at Sakhir.
A veteran of 191 race starts in F1 with Sauber, McLaren and Force India/Racing Poin, Perez inherits a potentially championship winning seat at Red Bull Racing, but Verstappen will also prove a hard nut to crack, as Albon found out to his detriment this season.
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