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Perez "believes" he will move to a top team in 2019

Published on 16 Jan 2018 10:18
12
By: Fergal Walsh

Sergio Perez believes that he will move to a top team for the 2019 season. The driver market is expected to take a shuffle that particular year, with plenty of drivers such as Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen out of contract at Mercedes and Ferrari respectively.

Perez joined McLaren in 2013 after an impressive two years at Sauber, but failed to impress the team and found himself departing at the end of the season. However, after four years with Force India, Perez believes he has proven his worth.

Speaking to Autosport, the Mexican said: "It's such an important year. There will be a lot of movements around Formula 1 in 2019 so it's important to be quick from the beginning next year. I believe in F1, everyone is looking at you not only in one race or one year but many years. When you look at what I've done in the last few years, I believe I'm in a good position.

"I believe if the opportunity ever comes, I am totally prepared, very complete on the aspects as a driver and a person," he added. "That can make a big difference if the opportunity ever comes. I believe I will move up the grid, I believe there will be a chance."

Despite 2017 being Force India's most successful season yet, it was Perez's first year with the team where he failed to make it onto the podium. But he thinks he's demonstrated his abilities enough to be an attractive choice: "I've shown what I can do in Formula 1 but I want more and I feel that I can do a lot more than this."

reg

Posts: 162

He may well believe it, but the rest of us don't!

3
Jan 16 2018 - 11:30

F1 News Valtteri Bottas Kimi Räikkönen Sergio Perez Mercedes McLaren Force India Ferrari Sauber

Replies (12)

juju_hound

Posts: 180
Perez has to beat Ocon this season much more than last year. Right now Ocon is shining star even scoring less points than Sergio. The only spare place at the top team would be Ferrari and after Raikkonen's leave there will be a place for somebody who can be number 2 driver for Seb. I don't know if Perez with his latino explosive temperament would agree and fit for that.
- + 0
- Jan 16 2018 - 10:38
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  I absolutely agree he needs to not only beat Ocon again, but do it more convincingly. No silly errors. But I disagree that he's not capable of doing that. I predict another close season, but expect Perez to come ahead again.
  + 0
  
  Jan 16 2018 - 22:28
Barron

Posts: 625
Yep, he has to whup Ocon first & foremost and I cannot see him doing that to be honest. I admire the guy’s self belief, but he has some work to do..
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- Jan 16 2018 - 11:17
reg

Posts: 162
He may well believe it, but the rest of us don't!
- + 3
- Jan 16 2018 - 11:30
Kean

Posts: 692
If he beats Ocon, and if Ferrari remains traditional and opt to wait to promote Leclerc (or if by some weird circumstance Leclerc fails to impress) I think Perez will replace Kimi. I can also see Perez going to Renault, if Ricciardo moves to Mercedes or Ferrari and Sainz replaces him at Red Bull.
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- Jan 16 2018 - 11:34
- mcbhargav
  
  Posts: 1,332
  It would be fun to see Perez, and Hulk back again as teammates.
  + 1
  
  Jan 16 2018 - 21:41
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  Ricciardo will stay with red bull. Ham and vettel will not allow equal materials/status. Red bull will drive with Honda pu in 2019.
  + 1
  
  Jan 16 2018 - 23:41
- dr002
  
  Posts: 141
  I see Ricciardo replacing Kimi as being a much better option for both parties.
  
  Even if Ricciardo has to sign up as the 2nd driver in the initial instance, I think he stands a much better chance of being able to outclass, unnerve & rattle Vettel than he would be able to outclass Marco's boy Verstappen who has only two seasons remaining to claim Vettel's mantel as youngest ever World Champion.
  
  From Ferrari's perspective, Ricciardo is not only a better driver than Perez, he is also of Italian heritage, has shown himself to be a convincing team player, is infinitely more marketable worldwide than Perez and would no doubt lift the mood in an otherwise tense and gloomy Ferrari garage.......
  + 1
  
  Jan 17 2018 - 02:58
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  I agree Ferrari would do well signing ricciardo. However pending on the Honda progress he might be better off staying. F1 succes always has an wave-like behaviour and in order to be in the right team at the right time you have to catch that wave at the right moment. That coupled with the fact that the redbull machine now has access to an factory pu I can see that spot might be at redbull. Ricciardo is wise to see how the Honda pu is progressing . If the Honda pu shows to be improving he will stay at redbull otherwise he will move to either Ferrari or Mercedes.
  + 1
  
  Jan 17 2018 - 08:09
boudy

Posts: 1,168
Nope. Can't see it.
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- Jan 16 2018 - 23:39
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I sorta think Perez might've lost that chance, unless he has a very VERY convincing year.
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- Jan 17 2018 - 08:37
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
lol sure, I believe I will win the lottery tomorrow, hey if this Mclaren reject fail of a toilet broom can dream so can anyone else. Ocon isn't even that special and yet that kid has made Perez look like a shitty grid space waster who only knows how to crash into his teammate every time he loses his shit.

Talk about delusions, he needs to be booted out of the sport.
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- Jan 18 2018 - 12:04