Sergio Perez has admitted that his F1 dream would have likely slipped away if he had not been signed to make his debut in 2011.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Mexican, backed by the Carlos Slim-led Telmex company, is quoted by the Spanish website motor21.com: “I think this was my last chance to enter F1.”<\/p>\n
Just before Christmas at Hinwil, Perez had his seat fitting for next year’s Ferrari-powered Sauber C30 and admitted that a third consecutive season in GP2 in 2011 “would have made it difficult” to progress to F1.<\/p>\n
He ultimately finished the season second behind fellow 2011 F1 rookie Pastor Maldonado, admitting that he felt the pressure this year.<\/p>\n
“Half way through the negotiations with the F1 teams began and I was fourth or fifth (in GP2), and at this time Carlos Slim was clear with me.<\/p>\n
“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,” explained Perez.<\/p>\n
He also played down suggestions that money is outpacing talent at present in terms of which young drivers are moving into F1.<\/p>\n
“F1 is a world of big money and we have noticed that there was a lot of interest with the business opportunities in Mexico, and for sure it didn’t hurt me,” said Perez.<\/p>\n
“But I have proved that I am a good driver; nobody has given me anything.”<\/p>\n
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