Sergio Perez ready for McLaren challenge

In the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Mercedes for the 2013 season, McLaren have confirmed that Mexican driver Sergio Perez will replace the Briton at the Woking-based outfit, and will team-mate Jenson Button for the 2013 season. This comes after weeks of speculation that Perez had been approached by McLaren.

After allegedly being approached by McLaren as their “Plan B” should Lewis Hamilton move from the team, speculation over Perez’s future grew dramatically after his illustrious 2nd place at the Italian Grand Prix. However, during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend Sergio Perez flatly refused to discuss such allegations, denying any links with either McLaren of Ferrari.

Initially it was thought Sergio Perez would move to Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa, largely thanks to his commitments to Ferrari’s Young Driver Programme. However, after Luca di Montezemolo stated that the 22-year-old would be too inexperienced for Ferrari, it looked as though he would remain at Sauber for 2013.

However, as contractual negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and both McLaren and Mercedes wore on, it was rumored that the Woking-based outfit had approached the Mexican driver as a possible replacement for the 2008 World Champion. With Lewis Hamilton today agreeing to a three-year deal with Mercedes, Sergio Perez has finally been confirmed at McLaren after weeks of continuous speculation.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver.” Enthused Sergio Perez, who has widely been regarded as the rising star of F1. “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.

“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 [Button], who’s someone I’ve long admired as a brilliant driver and a great Champion.”

With Jenson Button and Sergio Perez teamed up for the 2013 season, McLaren will unquestionably be a force to be reckoned with, largely due to their formidable driver pairing. McLaren’s team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, is extremely excited at seeing Sergio Perez join the team. Already the Mexican driver has shown his ability and maturity in battling with the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, and will be an intriguing prospect for such a competitive outfit like McLaren.

“I’m delighted to welcome Sergio on board.” Explained Martin Whitmarsh, “His performances throughout 2012 have convinced us that he’s an extremely exciting prospect for the future. It was a string of giant-killing performances, a trio of podiums and a brilliant fastest lap in this year’s Monaco Grand Prix that showed us that Sergio lacks nothing in terms of speed and commitment. We’ve been monitoring his progress carefully for some months - and, now that he’s become part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, our task will be to refine and develop his abilities as his career progresses over the coming years.

“Uniting Sergio alongside Jenson will give us a very broad base of driver ability. Jenson is one of motorsport’s greatest ambassadors, and his unique blend of prodigious speed and canny race-craft makes him formidably well-armed to fight for victory on any Grand Prix circuit in the world. While Sergio is still developing his palette of skills, we’re convinced that he’s not only talented and quick, but also that he’s willing and eager to learn.”

The 2013 season will certainly be a intriguing prospect, as Sergio Perez develops himself as a McLaren driver alongside Jenson Button. The Mexican driver now has the tremendous ability to show Ferrari just how wrong they were, and to show the motor sport world how much of a serious title contender he can be in a team with an amazing ability for success.

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