Ferrari was not an option for Pérez and vice versa
In Suzuka, during the Thursday FIA press conference, Sergio Pérez reflected on the conditions of his transfer to McLaren. The Mexican driver noted that while he was in talks with Ferrari, it was never a real option. Eager to work for McLaren alongside Jenson Button, Sergio Pérez is determined to stay focused on finishing his season with Sauber.
A few weeks ago, Luca di Montezemolo believed that Sergio Pérez did not have enough experience to handle the pressure that comes with being a Ferrari driver. Deprived of Lewis Hamilton, McLaren did not have the same reservations about the Mexican and seized the opportunity to enlist him as the successor to the Briton. While the Mexican assures that he was not in discussions with McLaren at the time of Luca di Montezemolo’s statements, he nevertheless admits to having kept the press in the dark for a while to focus on the championship: « I didn’t want to give too much information about my opportunities, my options. This way, I wasn’t asked too many questions, because if I had confirmed the rumors, then there would have been a lot of questions. I wanted to keep a low profile, stay focused on my team, and give 100% of myself to the team, for which I am very grateful for giving me this opportunity. We still have six races with a very strong car and I want to leave on a very positive note for the team. »
Furthermore, while Sergio Pérez acknowledges having been in discussions with Ferrari, he indicates that it was never an option: I talked with them because I was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I have good contact with them, good communication, but obviously the seat I secured is the best I could have and I am very, very happy and grateful, especially towards Ferrari, because they helped me a lot to get into Formula One. But now I know I am moving forward and I want to thank McLaren for taking me on board and believing in me.
The native of Guadalajara, however, understands the hesitations of the Scuderia: « It was difficult for them to make this decision. I think they are happy with Felipe Massa. He is a very good driver who has also proven himself. That’s not the case for me, I’m not as much of a guarantee as Felipe is, so that’s probably why I’ve never been an option for them […] so I never saw them as an option for me. » The current Sauber driver still feels « ready to drive for a top team » and to « fight for the championship ».
By joining McLaren, the Mexican should most likely have the opportunity, even though he knows that succeeding Lewis Hamilton will not be an easy task: “Of course, I consider Lewis as one of the fastest drivers on the grid, so it will not be easy at all… but I will give everything I can, I will work as hard as possible to deliver the best result and win championships with this great team.” Sergio Pérez is also aware that with McLaren, there is no other option but victory: “You must win every race, you have a car with which you can win every time. McLaren is always a guarantee, so I have to work very hard. I have to give everything for my team and I am ready to do that… once I have finished this season.”
The task will be all the more significant because Sergio Pérez will be alongside Jenson Button, who is far from a newcomer: « He is a world champion and it will be a pleasure to work with him, together, to achieve the team’s goal of winning and making the best car possible, so I look forward to working together with the whole team. I am so motivated and excited to start working with my new team, but, above all, I want to give everything I can for the team that gave me the opportunity to become a Formula 1 driver (Sauber, ed.). »
