Pérez is ready to drive for a top team

After an encouraging 2011 season marred by his accident in Monaco, Sergio Pérez began the 2012 season on the right foot by stepping onto the second step of the podium in Sepang, achieving the best historical result for the Sauber team. The Mexican then proved, despite a small mistake at the end of the race that likely cost him his victory chances, that he had the caliber of Grand Prix winners, to the point of finding himself at the center of rumors linking him to Ferrari even before the end of the season: « In Malaysia, I lost the victory more than I won second place. If I could redo the race, I would win it, » assures the Mexican in an interview with the German publication Auto Bild.

Therefore, after coming close to achieving success in Malaysia, and a victory that many observers deemed deserved, the native of Guadalajara feels ready to take the big leap: « There comes a point in your career where you feel ready to fight against the best drivers in the best teams. For me, it’s the next logical step. I feel comfortable [at Sauber], but I want to win races as soon as possible, » explains Pérez.

If this were the case, Ferrari naturally occupies the pole position, with the Mexican being one of the first members of the Ferrari Driver Academy and being the subject of persistent rumors for several weeks regarding his future in red. Although he recently dismissed any possibility of replacing Felipe Massa as early as 2012, and while recent rumors favor the paths of Mark Webber and then Sebastian Vettel to occupy the second seat at Maranello, Sergio Pérez remains very well placed for 2013. The Sauber driver acknowledges, however, that Carlos Slim, who is currently the Swiss team’s most important sponsor, will play a crucial role in directing his career: « We decide together what to do. I told him I would like to talk to him a little later in the season, about my future and the options I have. »