Mexican admits move to Woking squad damaged his reputation in F1
Tuesday 25 August 2015 14:22, UK
Sergio Perez says he was in line to drive for Ferrari in 2014, before he opted to join McLaren in 2013 – a move he admits damaged his career.
The 25-year-old had been part of the Scuderia's driver academy and was racing Ferrari-powered Saubers when McLaren approached him to replace Lewis Hamilton.
Perez says then Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicalli had told him he was in line for a race seat after another learning year with Sauber.
"At that point (2013) Stefano told me stay at Sauber for one more year and then to go to Ferrari, but then the opportunity with McLaren came," Perez revealed.
Ultimately the McLaren move didn't work out with Perez dropped after just a solitary season which he feels damaged his reputation. However, he doesn't regret the move.
"No, at that time McLaren was already winning for a couple of years so it was the team to be at," he said.
"It turned out that it wasn't the right team and in hindsight it damaged my reputation quite a bit, because when a big team gets rid of you after a year it really damages your reputation in the sport.
"But I believe with my results in the past year and this year if I have strong results then why won't the opportunity come to go back to a top team."
Indeed, Perez hasn't given up hope of that "top team" still being Ferrari, despite having to severe his ties to move to McLaren.
"No, not at all, the relationship with them is still good. In the past I was really close to driving for the team, so in Formula 1 you never know what can happen," he added.
For now the Ferrari seat alongside Sebastian Vettel belongs to Kimi Raikkonen and Perez wasn't surprised the team signed him up for another season.
"I think Ferrari wanted some stability after all the changes they have had in the past," he said.
"They are looking for some stability and they have big plans for next year. I think this season has been up and down for Kimi, but he has also been unlucky as well."
