Sauber will retain the support of Telmex despite Pérez’s departure

Sergio Pérez may be one of the most talented drivers of his generation, he is also one of the best financially supported. The young Mexican is indeed sponsored by Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world, through the telecommunications company Telmex, whose logo is visible on the Sauber C31 cars.

With the departure of the 22-year-old young man to McLaren at the end of the season, rumors about the future of the partnership between the Mexican company and the Swiss team are rife, especially as Vodafone – McLaren’s title sponsor – may withdraw at the end of 2013.

Monisha Kaltenborn is not at all worried about all these speculations. The Swiss team’s general manager has indeed received assurance that Telmex would continue to invest in Formula 1 through Sauber in the long term. “We have been informed by Telmex of this change [Pérez’s move to McLaren] and Telmex has assured us that they have a long-term project with Sauber and that it would not be affected by Sergio’s departure,” she explains.

This support could lead to the appointment of another Mexican driver next season. The third driver of the team, Esteban Gutiérrez, is also a driver funded by Carlos Slim. After two seasons in GP2 Series and a third-place finish at the end of the 2012 season, it would make sense to see him take the step and be lined up on the starting grids of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2013. Pérez was also appointed after two years in GP2 and a second place in the 2010 season won by Pastor Maldonado.