Max Verstappen says he is excited by the arrival of his new Red Bull Formula 1 teammate Sergio Perez and ho⛦pes to be able to fight Mercedes more across the 2021 season. 

Red Bull announced on Friday that Perez would be replacing Alex Albon for next year, with th⛄e Thai-racer d𓆉emoted to a test and reserve role following a disappointing first full-season with the team. 

Albon struggled to match Verstappen’s level of perfoജrmance throughout 2020 which resulted in the Dutchman having to fight the Mercedes duo single-handedly for podiums and victories. 

Verstap🌜pen believes that outgoing Racing Point driver Perez will “keep me on my toes” and help push Red Bull in the right direction to pose a greater threat to Mercedes next season. 

"I don’t think it’s going to change anything to my performance but it’s more that we'll hౠave a second car which is capable of being up there as well the whole race and trying to put a bit of pressure on,” said Verstappen.

"For example♒, like in Abu Dhabi, at the end, Alex was quite close and it just prevents Mercedes trying to go for an extra stop or whatever, and then I'm in more difficulties.  

“Most of the time when we were quite competitive this year, I was the only car trying to beat them, and tried to do something different. But they can always do th🤡e right strategy with one of them, because they will always cover me with one car, so it was always a bit difficult to fight them.

“And I just hope that Checo will be the one to first of all push the whole team forward, but also keep ꦚme on my toes, which is always nice. To have a teammate pushing you, it's exciting.

"Hopeful🅠ly we can, with a 🙈bit more of a competitive car from the start, make it just a bit more interesting and difficult for them to make decisions.”

Asked if he had provided any input to Red Bull regarding its choice of Perez over Albon, Verstappen replied: “Of course we spoke about ✤it and I just give my honest opinion.

“And I think it was quite clear that during the whole year it was sometimes quite tricky for𓆏 Alex. He is a great guy honestly and I’m happy that he’s part of the team still. 

"But at the end of the day, of course it's Helmut [Marko] and Christian and of course Dietrich 💜[Mateschitz] making the decisions.

"Of course I knew a bit before. But at the end of the 🦄day that does🌳n't matter."