Sauber downplays the links between Pérez and Ferrari
Sergio Pérez, the driver for the Sauber team, recently conducted successful tests at the wheel of a Ferrari. It was enough to spark rumors that the young driver could be in a red car in the coming years.
As an integral part of the Ferrari Drivers Academy, Sergio Pérez was invited by the Italian team to conduct tests on the Fiorano track between the Italian and Singapore Grand Prix.
His good performances during these tests, and a situation similar to that of Felipe Massa at the start of his career (having been with Sauber and then made a regular driver at Ferrari after tests) quickly fueled rumors. However, Peter Sauber tries to play down the matter: “We cannot make a comparison between Sergio and Felipe because Felipe already had a contract with Ferrari when he came to us.”
The director of management at Sauber, Monisha Kaltenborn, explains the purpose of the tests conducted by Pérez: This is an integral part of the Ferrari Drivers Academy’s activity. The latter is made for drivers who wish to enter Formula 1. However, Sergio is already in Formula 1. We must look at things with the right perspective. There are no other arrangements regarding this. We knew there would be a test. We did not devise this program. However, we ensure that Sergio respects this activity and that it does not conflict with any of our activities. We found a time when we could conduct his test, and that’s all.
It is hard to believe, however, that Ferrari would race a driver without ulterior motives…
