Di Montezemolo: Too early for Pérez, why not Vettel?

If Felipe Massa’s future is still in question at Maranello, the Brazilian driver should not fear, according to Luca di Montezemolo, the chairman and CEO of Ferrari, the competition from Sergio Pérez. The 22-year-old Mexican, a Sauber driver since last season and a full member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, has been delivering outstanding performances, having secured his third podium of the season at Monza, after narrowly missing victory in Malaysia, among other achievements.

Questioned by our British colleagues from Sky Sports News, the president of Ferrari was very clear about a possible arrival of S. Pérez at the Reds: « Next season is too soon. Putting a young driver at Ferrari, with the pressure of Ferrari, requires you to have more experience. » The logical connection between the Sauber driver and the Scuderia leads to much speculation as Felipe Massa’s contract is set to end, barring an extension, at the end of this year. However, the rumor not only sends Pérez to Ferrari, but some Formula 1 observers, like James Allen, suggest the idea of a possible connection between the Mexican and McLaren if, by chance, Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Mercedes is confirmed for next season.

Di Montezemolo continued: « I am very happy for him because, above all, it shows that our choice, when we took him as a young driver, was the right one. It is thanks to Sauber and the Ferrari Academy that he is progressing. » Statements that suggest that if the young driver was indeed coveted by the rival based in Woking, securing his signature could prove to be tricky.

On the side of Stefano Domenicali, the director of Scuderia Ferrari, the recent performances of Sergio Pérez inspire measured enthusiasm: « Regarding Sergio Pérez […] he had a good race, no doubt, congratulations to him. He was able to manage the tires at the beginning to do a long stint, and he could fit the medium tires […] which helped him be one to two seconds faster than the others, so he quickly caught up with them ». When asked earlier in the week about Felipe Massa’s return to form, the Italian expressed satisfaction with the Paulista’s performances, without saying more about the 2012 lineup’s future.

But, on the side of Luca di Montezemolo, however, if the Pérez option is not feasible, a choice clue is mentioned: « I think Vettel is more or less in the conditions that Michael [Schumacher] was in at Benetton. » In 1996, after four and a half seasons at Benetton, and having won the 1994 and 1995 championships, the German had joined Ferrari, then in a moribund state. A rather far-fetched comparison from the head of the Scuderia, who later clarifies his thoughts: « He is young, he is a very good driver, and he has a lot of experience so, in theory, if you were to ask me for a name, I could mention his ».