Sergio Perez’s brilliant drive to second place in the Italian GP certainly couldn’t have come at a better time. The question is, what is next for him and who should he drive for in 2013?
With the silly season intensifying, his performance has put him firmly into the middle of the radar. He is being linked with McLaren if Lewis chooses to leave, and the rumours linking him to Ferrari are getting stronger and stronger.
There is no doubt that Perez is one of the stars of the future. His podiums in Malaysia, Canada and Italy were all outstanding drives.
He also made one of the most stunning debuts of recent times in Australia 2011 when he finished in the points making just one stop (although this was taken away due to no fault of his own). This was a remarkable feat in Pirelli’s first race in their return to the sport.
No other young driver has made as impressive an impact on the sport since Sebastian Vettel in 2008 for Toro Rosso.
As well as strong pace he demonstrated brilliant race craft in Monza. Of course his ability to look after the tyres is already well known.
The one issue with him is a lack of consistency. Amongst these great podium weekends are events where he hasn’t really featured. However this will improve over time. He has masses of potential.
He is the favourite for Felipe Massa’s seat but if I were him I would turn it down if I was offered it. For me Perez is far too talented to be Fernando Alonso’s number two driver.
As gifted as Sergio is Ferrari is always going to be Alonso’s team. I am sure he would fulfil the team’s wish of scoring 60% of Fernando’s points, and increase their chances of winning the constructors.
However a driver like Perez could be winning races in the right car. In the same team as the 2005 and 2006 world champion he isn’t going to be allowed to win in a straight fight.
Alonso has the team wrapped round his finger and he consumes the majority of the air within the garage. He will have a lot of power and influence when it comes to big decisions. With the majority of the attention on Fernando, I doubt Perez will be able to reach his full potential at the team.
For me that is the main reason Massa has been struggling. Because he hardly gets any love and attention (and he is a driver who needs that more than most) he is falling well short of his true performance.
In my opinion if Felipe moved to McLaren alongside Jenson Button he would immediately find two or three extra tenths per lap. That’s what I think the effect of being away from Fernando would be.
If there was a chance of Alonso leaving in the near future then moving to Ferrari might be a good move for Sergio. Massa initially joined Ferrari at the right time a year before Michael Schumacher retired for the first time.
Yes, he had to be Schumacher’s number two in 2006, but he got a chance to fight for the title in 2007 and 2008.
The same would very unlikely apply to Perez. Alonso’s contract at Ferrari doesn’t end till the end of 2016. It’s not out of the question that the Spaniard could extend into 2017.
If Hamilton does decide to take the jump to Mercedes, McLaren would be an ideal team for Perez.
Button would be a great team mate for Sergio, and I reckon he would be able to learn an awful lot from Jenson. I don’t see Fernando sharing data with his new young team mate to try and help him improve.
Of course at McLaren both their drivers are allowed to race each other. Perez would be allowed to win and even challenge for the title with the Woking squad.
It would be a great move for both parties. Perez could really flourish at McLaren, whilst the team could benefit from the sponsorship opportunities having a Mexican driver could bring them.
If Lewis stays at McLaren and there is no other top seats available, apart from Ferrari, then I think Sergio should just stay put. As long as he keeps on performing like he is doing the right offer in a top team will come sooner rather than later.