© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
After news came out that Red Bull signed Sergio Perez for 2021, Lewis Hamilton said it’s going to make things “much harder” for Mercedes.
Back in 2013 Perez took Hamilton’s place at McLaren, after the Briton joined Mercedes.
“With all due respect to Alex [Albon], in the races that we’ve had, it’s been me and Valtteri [Bottas] against Max,” said Hamilton.
“Now I’ve been in the position that Max is in, where once, particularly when I was at McLaren, where I was the lead car, and then the second car wasn’t in the fight.
“So when we were fighting against Ferrari, they could really move around with the strategy, and make it a lot harder for us.
“So I think naturally, this makes Red Bull stronger, particularly with the way Sergio is performing. I think Sergio has driven incredibly well this year, and truly deserved a drive.
“So I was so happy to hear that he’s been taken on by one of the top teams, and given this opportunity.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting battle to watch him up against Max. And that’s going to make it much harder for us as a team.
“So we’re going to have to really step up our game, because that’s going to be a battle we’ve not seen for some time, in terms of having the two drivers there, fighting against us.
“But we relish that as a team, that’s what we work towards. We love the challenge, and it’s gonna make it that much more exciting.”
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Valtteri Bottas is also happy to see Perez get a top F1 seat, after being unceremoniously let go by Racing Point in favour of Sebastian Vettel.
“Definitely really happy for Sergio, I think he deserves a seat it in F1,” said the Finn.
“And now he’s in one of the top teams. So that’s good news. And I have a feeling the competition with Red Bull will be maybe a bit tougher, but it’s only speculating at this point.
“So I guess we’ll see as we go for next year, but yeah, it should be interesting,” concluded Bottas.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff also gave his comments on the Mexican joining his team’s main rivals.
“Red Bull is getting a fast driver with a lot of experience,” the Austrian told Auto, Moto und Sport.
“I see Perez as a reinforcement for them. They will become an even bigger rival.”
