FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[racechick]

McLaren have announced it-saw it on twitter, not read it yet.

[Hammer278]

Martin Brundle has just said Perez is CONFIRMED at McLaren. Damn...rumours do pack some serious weight don't they.

It's official:

Sergio Perez will replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren after signing a 'multi-year deal', the team has confirmed.

With Lewis Hamilton joining Mercedes, Perez will partner Jenson Button from 2013 onwards. As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy Perez was linked with a move to Ferrari next year after impressing during his second season for Sauber in Formula One. However, McLaren has moved to secure him as a replacement for Hamilton and Perez himself said he was "delighted" to make the move.

"I'm thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver," Perez said. "The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for - I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna's many world championship triumphs for McLaren - and I'm truly honoured that they've chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.

"I've spent the 2012 season working very hard to demonstrate my potential, but I've always remained humble and focused. I am, and always will be, extremely grateful to Peter [Sauber] and everybody at the Sauber Formula 1 team for their belief in me, and for giving me the chance to race in Formula 1.

"In fact, they gave me the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what I can do - and I'm now equally grateful to Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for giving me the chance to take this next very big step in my career."

While Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said Perez wasn't ready to drive for a big team, Perez is sure he is fully prepared for the move.

"I'm under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step - as it would be for any driver - but I'm ready for it. So, while I'm still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I'm already massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and with Jenson, who's someone I've long admired as a brilliant driver and a great champion."

[Denthúl]

Brilliant. Sergio in a top team should be amazing to watch.

So, Guitierrez to Sauber? I wonder if this will mean that Kobayashi is staying...

[LRW]

Martin Brundle has just said Perez is CONFIRMED at McLaren. Damn...rumours do pack some serious weight don't they.

It's official:

Sergio Perez will replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren after signing a 'multi-year deal', the team has confirmed.

With Lewis Hamilton joining Mercedes, Perez will partner Jenson Button from 2013 onwards. As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy Perez was linked with a move to Ferrari next year after impressing during his second season for Sauber in Formula One. However, McLaren has moved to secure him as a replacement for Hamilton and Perez himself said he was "delighted" to make the move.

"I'm thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver," Perez said. "The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for - I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna's many world championship triumphs for McLaren - and I'm truly honoured that they've chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.

"I've spent the 2012 season working very hard to demonstrate my potential, but I've always remained humble and focused. I am, and always will be, extremely grateful to Peter [Sauber] and everybody at the Sauber Formula 1 team for their belief in me, and for giving me the chance to race in Formula 1.

"In fact, they gave me the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what I can do - and I'm now equally grateful to Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for giving me the chance to take this next very big step in my career."

While Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said Perez wasn't ready to drive for a big team, Perez is sure he is fully prepared for the move.

"I'm under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step - as it would be for any driver - but I'm ready for it. So, while I'm still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I'm already massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and with Jenson, who's someone I've long admired as a brilliant driver and a great champion."

Damn. So. Who is filling Perez seat @ Sauber? Does this mean PDR has to wait another year at Force India....?

[Hammer278]

Apparently, old man Schumi's manager has been seen deep in talks with Sauber last weekend, so obviously old man Schumi is still aching to drive in F1.

[LRW]

Apparently, old man Schumi's manager has been seen deep in talks with Sauber last weekend, so obviously old man Schumi is still aching to drive in F1.

I just cant see Schumi winning another race (unness he is gifted it from crashes upfront etc...). Maybe he should retire gracefully, instead of slowly sliding down the grid and racing for HRT aged 50...

[racechick]

He should stay with Mercedes in a different role.

[Revvenge]

Well, lucky for Ferrari they'll still have Massa next year . They really dropped the ball on that one.

Anyway, feels like a step backwards for Hamilton, but a great opportunity for Perez.

[LiamCatterson]

Mercedes have announced their 2013 driver line-up, with Nico Rosberg being joined by Lewis Hamilton, who moves to the team from McLaren on a three-year contract, replacing Michael Schumacher.

“It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team,” said Hamilton. “Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning which I share.

“Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships.”





In return, Perez is going to partner Jenson Button, similar to Hamilton's deal (Three Year)

With news of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Mercedes expected to be confirmed imminently, McLaren have announced Sauber’s Sergio Perez as his replacement for 2013. The up-and-coming Mexican, who has already scored two podiums this season, has been signed by the Woking team on a multi-year contract.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver,” said Perez. “The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula One. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for - I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna's many world championship triumphs for McLaren - and I'm truly honoured that they've chosen me to partner Jenson [Button] from 2013.

[Ferrari man 009]

Apparently, old man Schumi's manager has been seen deep in talks with Sauber last weekend, so obviously old man Schumi is still aching to drive in F1.

I just cant see Schumi winning another race (unness he is gifted it from crashes upfront etc...). Maybe he should retire gracefully, instead of slowly sliding down the grid and racing for HRT aged 50...

Ferrari want an "experienced" driver that can successfully back up Alonso for the championship. I feel Schumacher could do this better than Massa, and think Schumacher is better than Mercedes have allowed him to be at times. Let's just remember he has outqualified Rosberg 8-6 this season, and outperformed the Mercedes in qualifying at times. I think the only reason Rosberg got the nod over Schumacher is he was contracted for next season.

If I was Schumacher i'd approach Ferrari and ask to drive for free on a 1 season deal. If anything just to prove he can still do it in a car that can win races in the right hands!

[LiamCatterson]

Well, lucky for Ferrari they'll still have Massa next year . They really dropped the ball on that one.

Anyway, feels like a step backwards for Hamilton, but a great opportunity for Perez.

If Kubica isn't back by 2014, I think he is here to stay FOR A LOOOONG TIME

[LRW]

Seriously. We already have 3 threads on this.

It's not breaking news anymore.

[LRW]

If I was Schumacher i'd approach Ferrari and ask to drive for free on a 1 season deal. If anything just to prove he can still do it in a car that can win races in the right hands!

I like your thinking.

Massa can then go sit on a beach.

[LiamCatterson]

I knew after I posted this

[LiamCatterson]

Brilliant. Sergio in a top team should be amazing to watch.

So, Guitierrez to Sauber? I wonder if this will mean that Kobayashi is staying...

And Luca said he was too inexperienced