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[Big Azza]

I just did a forum search and no one appears to have announced that on October 4, Sauber announced Heidfeld's replacement for 2011.

I read this on Wikipedia a week ago, and presumed it had already been announced. But it obviously deserves to have it's own dedicated thread because once again Heidfeld is without a seat...

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/sauber-signs-perez/

Sauber signs Perez
October 4, 2010 by joesaward
Sauber has signed Sergio Perez to race for the team in 2011. The 20-year old Mexican driver will line up alongside Kamui Kobayashi. The team has also announced a partnership with Telmex, which will have “a significant presence on the Sauber Motorsport racing cars” from the start of next year.

“Sauber has been not only a very successful racing team but also a strong talent developer of some of the most recognized names in racing since their early stages as well as one of the most respected people in the sport,” says Telmex chairman Carlos Slim Donit. “Their decision of having Sergio with them is very significant on his career to become a top driver representing Mexico. For Telmex and our racing project Escuderia Telmex it’s a great step forward, and we feel very proud to be able to consolidate these years of work for having a Mexican driver in F1 with Sauber Motorsport.”

Peter Sauber says that his team is happy and proud to be in a relationship with the Mexican telecommunications company.

“Telmex is an outstanding company and represents a strong partner for our team,” he said.

Perez has been a member of Escuderia Telmex, which supports racing drivers in various categories, for a number of years. He finished second in this year’s GP2 Series, winning four races – including the prestigious championship round in Monaco – in the process. Sergio began his career in karting, where he won a total of five championships. He followed that up with two years in Formula BMW before moving on to the National Class of the British F3 International Series, where he won a still record 14 races. In 2008 he finished fourth in the International Class of the British F3 International Series. In GP2 Asia he became the series’ youngest race winner at the age of 18.

“Formula 1 is the dream of every young racing driver,” Perez ays. “And now this dream is about to come true for me. Although I’m very much aware that this is also a big challenge and responsibility, I’m happy to accept that and am proud to be representing my country in the highest category of motor racing. I would like to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he’s shown in me and I’ll do everything I can to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.”

This has obviously been a very low key signing.

[CarBore]

I think we were all aware of it. More importantly the fact is Perez brings lots of money to Sauber. Hopefully it means Kobayashi will have a great car next year.

Kobayashi for 2011 WDC !!

[LifeW12]

Kobayashi for 2011 WDC !!

[texasmr2]

Sad for Nick aswell as the team if Nick is quicker than his replacement! IDIOTS IMHO to make such a decision this soon .

[Big Azza]

It looks like they had already made this decision and that Heidfeld already knew what he was in for when he signed on for them. I don't think we will lose him next year. I think we could see him at Virgin racing perhaps. If not, maybe he could be Petrov's replacement, or even Webber's replacement, should Webber flip the bird to Horner once he wins the championship.

This is probably why De La Rosa was so shocked. He might have known that he wouldn't have a seat next year, but to replaced by a temporary driver until then, that would've broken him.

[texasmr2]

I guess we will never know the truth so oh well.......

[madbrad]

Money gets less talented drivers in the seats and the good ones are out in the cold. This is gonna set Sauber back. NH deserves a better drive than Virgin but hey life's not fair, especially F1.

[Big Azza]

Nah... I think this kid has talent. That's why Sauber are signing him.

[CarBore]

We'll see in Bahrain

[Big Azza]

He'll start off in the usual Sauber fashion. 5 DNFs in a row. Wait till... Monaco or something.

[The_Stig_Money]

I have heard about all the mexican money (pesos) that is coming into the sport and it sounds like any other investment that mexico has made.... "nada"

They will swap drivers to the highest bidder

Mark my words, 1 year and they (mexican investers) will pull out of the sport

[vaptin]

The real problem is the lack of a driver to lead development for Sauber, they had that with nick.

Perez's career makes it look like he has talent though.

Problem is so much fan interest is based on the drivers (and their nationality), so shift seems to be sponsors backing certain drivers rather than investing in the teams. A driver isn't always popular or attractive just because of his/her talent is probably the root problem.

[Robert12010]

to be honest peter sauber is a smart guy, but to keep changing driver line every week is probaly not the best idea...but then it goes back to the issue of money from sponsorship,...i mean good luck to sergio but you know their becoming like HRT !!

[scotty]

I just did a forum search and no one appears to have announced that on October 4, Sauber announced Heidfeld's replacement for 2011.

Not literally, but it was discussed a fair bit in this thread and you also posted about it elsewhere before creating this thread!

I'm intruiged to see what effect James Key and the Telmex money have on next year's car more than what this Perez guy would do. I mean, would he have been signed if it weren't for his money?

[Bruno_Brazil]

Nah... I think this kid has talent. That's why Sauber are signing him.

He does. The guy is damn good.

I'd like to see Heidfeld next year too.

But I can say I'm very pleased with Perez and Maldonado racing next year!