Perez sees himself at Ferrari in 2013

Sergio Perez made his F1 debut last season, but the Mexican driver is already thinking about his long-term future in F1. After a year in 2011 learning with the Sauber team, his goal for 2012 will be the same: to continue his learning and try to outpace his teammate Kamui Kobayashi more often.

Perez hopes to progress and, why not, join a more prestigious team as early as 2013. He has indeed revealed that he dreams of being able to drive for Scuderia Ferrari one day.

For me, Ferrari is the greatest team for which all drivers would one day like to win world championships but … we will see. I would love to drive for them one day, Sergio Perez confided in an interview with Marca.

Felipe Massa’s contract expires at the end of the 2012 season, and Perez thinks he has a chance to replace the Brazilian alongside Fernando Alonso in 2013: «We will see, in the end, it will depend on this season, which is very important for me.»

The Mexican driver could be helped in his efforts by his sponsor, Telmex, which has been supporting him for several seasons already. But Perez refutes the label of a pay driver. According to him, a driver must have support to reach F1, but ultimately, talent remains the key factor for the teams.

Today, you rely more and more on your (financial) support, but I think talent remains a priority. I don’t think there can be a bad driver on the grid even if he has a lot of support. To reach (F1) you need it (support), but ultimately what matters most is your talent.

If a team chooses you, it’s because they see potential in you, because there are only 24 seats and many more drivers with financial backing, so if you’re chosen, it’s because you have talent. The best are chosen for their talent more than for money.

Perez is grateful to have the support of Telmex, but according to him, this is not the only reason for his presence in F1. He has earned the right to be among the best drivers in the world due to what he has shown on the track and not just because of the money he can bring.

« That has influenced things (Telmex’s help), but to say that I am (in F1) because of that is not fair, » added Perez.