Sergio Perez satisfied with his performance, not with the results

After a satisfying first season, to the point of becoming one of the contenders to succeed Felipe Massa at Ferrari, Sergio Perez still draws a mixed review of his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport: « I am satisfied with the performance I have shown, but I am not satisfied with the results. Partly because of my accident, I missed two races – Monaco and Canada – where the car and the team performed well. After I returned to the car, it took me a few more races before I was back to 100% of my capabilities. But regarding my overall performance in F1, I think I can be satisfied with my first season. »

Fresh from GP2 where, having earned the title of vice-champion and four victories, the soon-to-be 22-year-old driver acknowledges he discovered the world that separates Formula One from the lower categories: « Formula One is a completely different world. When you arrive, everything is new: the number of people you work with, the quantity and level of work required. Every detail is important, whether inside the car or outside. The media interest is enormous, and all this combined also impacts your private life. »

The young Mexican also acknowledges that the pressure on a Formula One driver’s shoulders is much greater, especially when the label of a pay driver sticks to you: « I experienced a lot of pressure throughout my career, but in Formula One, it’s at another level. During winter testing, everyone said I was just a pay driver, and it’s good to have proven otherwise. There have been many ups and downs during the season, and the team’s support has always helped me maintain confidence. »

Among the highlights, the native of Guadalajara especially remembers his race in Suzuka: « For me, I delivered my most solid performance in Japan. I set the second-fastest race time and managed to overtake a few cars. The team’s strategy worked very well, and I was happy at the end of the Grand Prix. »

But the season of “Checo” will be especially marked by the spectacular accident he was involved in on the streets of Monaco, and the Sauber driver himself admits being surprised at how long it took him to recover, particularly from a physical standpoint: « Physically, I had to wait. It wasn’t easy, but it was important. When I got back in the car for free practice in Canada, I realized the difficulties I was having. I was dizzy and therefore it was impossible to drive. Two weeks later, in Valencia, I felt much better and I was able to drive. I was even better at Silverstone and then at the Nürburgring, but it wasn’t until Budapest that I felt fully recovered. It was really a very big shock, and I discovered that it takes time to physically recover from a concussion. Mentally, it was also a shock. It helped me a lot to go back home to Mexico, and it was important to do all this work to prepare myself again for competition. »

Confirmed with Sauber for 2012, Sergio Perez draws lessons from 2011 to better prepare for his second season in Formula One, the season of confirmation, which often constitutes a real challenge: « I have learned a lot. I think it’s important to be patient, focused, and always give 100%. You must constantly improve in every area and always be ready to adapt to any situation. If circumstances require you to change your driving style, you must comply. »

So we can only wish the Mexican that he has a mount capable of allowing him to apply the lessons he learned from his first season.