McLaren replace Hamilton with Sauber star Sergio Pérez // Pérez makes the step up to join Jenson Button
Published by Christine Blachford
This is F1Minute - McLaren replace Hamilton with Sauber star Sergio Pérez.
McLaren were ready and waiting for the news that Hamilton was to depart the team at the end of the year, with their own announcement that Sergio Pérez would take the champion’s place.
The Mexican driver has spent two years at the Sauber team, and has impressed this season with three podium positions. Paddock talk had him placed at Ferrari in the near future, but his step up is to the Woking based outfit instead.
Pérez says, of the move: “I’m under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step, but I’m ready for it. While I’m still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber... I’m already massively looking forward to working with everyone at McLaren.”
For their part, McLaren give their thanks to the outgoing Lewis Hamilton and look forward to a new partnership between Pérez and Jenson Button, which they call the “perfect blend of youth and experience.” Martin Whitmarsh said: “We’ve been monitoring his progress carefully for some months, and now... our task will be to refine and develop his abilities as his career progresses over the coming years.”
