Sergio Perez struck with illness ahead of Indian Grand Prix

Sauber’s Sergio Perez has been struck with a bad cold ahead of this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix, which forced the Mexican driver to skip his media commitments at the track on Thursday and return to his hotel for further rest. Although it is not thought the illness will prevent him from competing at the weekend, the team are prepared to have him skip Friday practice.

With Sauber aiming to catch Mercedes for fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, the Swiss outfit will be hoping for a competitive race weekend in India in which both Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi can score decent points in their fight to catch the German marque. However, if Perez is too ill to participate this weekend, the team will be forced to call up reserve and GP2 driver Esteban Gutierrez.

The 21-year-old Mexican driver has recently been confirmed for Sauber’s Young Driver Test program at Abu Dhabi next month, and is widely speculated as a likely candidate to race for the Hinwil-based outfit next season alongside either Kamui Kobayashi or Nico Hulkenberg. A run during the two practice sessions tomorrow could well benefit Gutierrez’s preparation for the three-day test, as he is tasked with dealing with the pressure of learning a new track in preparation for Sauber’s weekend ahead.

However, the team remain confident that Sergio Perez will be fit enough to compete in tomorrow’s practice sessions and the following weekend’s events. Sauber will make an official decision with regards to their plans tomorrow morning prior to the opening practice session, revealing whether or not Sergio Perez will partake in the opening two practice session’s of the weekend.

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