OFFICIAL: Sergio Perez to race for Red Bull Racing in 2021!

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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."

Read also: Berger could see Verstappen and Perez 'working well together'

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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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.