Sergio Pérez has revealed that some mid-season ‘words of wisdom’ from the worlds richest man, Carlos Slim, helped him to realise his goal of securing an F1 seat in 2011.
The Mexican driver’s second year performance in GP2 with Barwa Addax, which saw him take second behind Pastor Maldonado, is what caught the attention of the Swiss outfit.
However, at the season’s mid-point, Pérez was placed just fifth in the table, a performance which may have seen him competing in GP2 for a third year, had it not been for Slim’s comments which motivated Pérez to score some impressive results in the final eleven races, four of those being wins.
“Halfway through [the 2010 season], the negotiations with the F1 teams began,” the 20-year-old told motor21.com.
“I was fourth or fifth [in the championship], and at this time Carlos Slim was clear with me,” explained Pérez. “He told me that if I was not in the fight for the championship, then I would not be in the minds of the teams and my chance was going to slip away.
“I really think this was my last chance to enter F1.”
He went onto explain that, whilst the backing of Telmex may have helped, it isn’t the sole reason that he’s managed to secure a place on the 2011 grid.
“F1 is a world of big money. We have noticed that there was a lot of interest with the business opportunities in Mexico, and for sure it didn’t hurt my chances,” he admitted. “But, I have proved that I am a good driver. Nobody has handed me anything.”
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