Official: Sergio Pérez signs with McLaren!

The news of the transfer of the Mexican driver Sergio Pérez, a Sauber driver since last year and especially a member of the Ferrari Academy, was announced by the Swiss team on their Twitter account.

Shortly after, the first statements from Pérez were published by our colleagues at YallaF1: I am excited and looking forward to becoming a McLaren driver. The name McLaren is one of the biggest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years, McLaren has been a team that every driver has dreamed of driving for – I grew up with the incredible stories of Ayrton Senna’s many victories for McLaren – and I am truly honored that they have chosen me to be Jenson [Button]’s teammate starting in 2013.

Sauber, an important step in the young driver’s career, is not forgotten: « I spent my 2012 season working hard to demonstrate my potential, but I always remained humble and focused. I am, and will always be, very grateful to Peter [Sauber] and the entire team for the faith they placed in me and the chance they gave me to drive in Formula 1. In fact, they gave me the perfect opportunity to show what I can do, and I am also grateful to Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone at McLaren for giving me the chance to take another big step in my career. »

Great architect of Sergio Pérez’s meteoric career, magnate Carlos Slim played a part in the Mexican’s transfer to McLaren, notably through Telmex, which is expected to replace Vodafone: « I would like to thank Carlos Slim Jr., who has helped me since I was 14. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Our journey together over the last eight years has been incredible, and I will do everything in my power to achieve, with McLaren, the results for which he and I have worked so hard and for so long ».

« I have no illusions: it’s indeed a very big step – as it would be for any driver – but I am ready for it. So, even though I will always be focused on giving my best for Sauber for the rest of this season, I am also extremely eager to work with everyone at McLaren, and with Jenson, who is someone I have admired for a long time because he is a brilliant driver and a great champion, » added Pérez.

On the McLaren side, Martin Whitmarsh states that this decision is not a last-minute choice: The performances at the top level, the three podiums, and the brilliant fastest lap in Monaco this season have shown us that Sergio lacks nothing in terms of speed and commitment. We have been following his progress closely for several months and now that he is part of the McLaren team, our goal will be to fine-tune and develop his abilities so that his career progresses over the coming years.

« Placing Sergio alongside Jenson will give us a solid line-up in terms of capabilities. Jenson is one of the greatest ambassadors of motorsport, and his unique blend of prodigious speed and cunning makes him a wonderfully well-equipped driver to fight for victory on any circuit in the world. Even though Sergio is still developing his skillset, we are convinced that he is not only talented and fast, but also ready and eager to learn, » hopes the Briton. « He is perfectly capable of becoming a title contender. His partnership with the McLaren team offers us the perfect line-up for the next season. »

After two years @schecoperez will change to #McLaren next season. We will announce our driver line-up for 2012 in due course. #F1

— Sauber F1 Team (@OfficialSF1Team) Septembre 28, 2012

« After two years [with Sauber, ed.], Sergio Pérez will be going to McLaren next season. We will announce our drivers for 2013 in due course. »