Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has dropped a quiet hint, suggesting the team may replace Felipe Massa with Sergio Perez in 2013.
The Brazilian hasn’t been able to match his teammate, Fernando Alonso, who currently has 100 points more than the 30-year-old who has been with the team since 2006. His best finish this season is just 5th.
Domenicali brushed off any suggestions that the team could run two young drivers, saying a team of Ferrari’s calibre needs experience, coupled with a junior driver.
“Ferrari can’t have two young people, there is incredible pressure on this team, but a mix between an extremely strong driver and a younger one, they would have potential to be great and complement one another,” he confessed to Marca.
Perez would be a suitable replacement. The young Mexican, just 21 years of age, is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and has impressed in his rookie year.
When pressed on the thought of Perez at Ferrari next year, Domenicali replied: “He has a contract with Sauber, let him continue to grow and have a good 2012 season.”
Perez is out of contract at the end of the 2012 season, as is Massa. Meanwhile Alonso, also 30, recently signed a new contract which sees him at the Italian outfit until 2016.
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