New Redꦺ Bull signing Serꩵgio Perez has promised he will “overdeliver” in his first Formula 1 season with the team in 2021.

Racing Point’s decision t🅘o sign Sebastian Vettel from Ferrari to lead it into its new era as Aston Martin had left Perez without a d🐓rive for the 2021 season.

But an outstanding 2020 campaign, in which the Mexican claimed a shock𝄹 maiden victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix on his way to a career-best fourth place in the championship, prompted Red Bull to offer him a seat to bec🌊ome Max Verstappen’s new teammate, replacing the underperforming Alex Albon.

Having finally earned his long-awaited chance to drive front-running machinery, Perez, who visited Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters for the first time last week to get accustomed to his new team ꦦand have a seat fit in the RB16-B, is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“I am always pushing to the maximum and last year I finally had a car that I couldꦜ show a bit more and people saw what I am capable of, but now is my big opportunity,” Perez said in his first interview since joining Red Bull.

“I have to 𒅌go onto the next step in all aspects and I think I’m ready for it. The only thing I was lacking was the opportunit💫y. Now I have it, it’s up to me to make it work.

“I’m going to make sure I over꧋deliver. If we have a car that can win the championship, I’ll make sure we win it. And if not, and we only have a car that’s good enough for third I will make sure that we finish second.

“I hope we’re going to have a really good season and it’s the only way I can repay Mr Mateschitz, Dr Marko, Christian, Adrian and all the t𝓡eam,” he added.

“Nobody before has given me the chance to be in a big team. We’re going to hear the Mexican national anthem many time✱s next year I hope.”

After turning in the best season of his F1 career to date, Perez, who turns 31 later this month, is confident his “dream” move has come at♑ the perfect time.

“Of all the teams in Formula 1, I thought there was no chance for me to join it because I wasn’t part of the j🉐unior programme, but when the opportunity came I took it,” he explained.

“It’s a dream come true. When I put my Red Bull shirt on or drink a can, I think ‘wow, this is the brand I drive for!’ It’s amazing and hard to imagine🍷.

“It’s an opportunity that I have worked so hard for – for more than 15 years. I think it’s come at the right time, I’m ready for that and I will grab𒊎 it with both hands.”