Sergio Perez has admitted the possibility he could be paired with Fernando Alonso next year at Ferrari.<\/p>\n
The famous Italian team has put Felipe Massa on notice, with Mexican Perez – currently driving for Ferrari-powered Sauber – at the head of Ferrari’s driver development programme.<\/p>\n
At the same time, however, Red Bull’s reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel regularly declares his desire to one day race a Ferrari.<\/p>\n
“Ah, yes,” Perez told the Spanish sports daily Marca.<\/p>\n
So who is the real front-runner for Massa’s seat?<\/p>\n
“We will see,” he insisted, “as ultimately it depends on this year, which for me is very important.”<\/p>\n
Perez, 22, admitted at least that he is a leading candidate.<\/p>\n
“Yes, but this season is yet to even start and everything changes very fast in a year.\u00a0 There are many things that are yet to have been seen,” he said.<\/p>\n
“For me, Ferrari is the greatest team for which all the drivers dream of one day winning the championship but … let’s see.\u00a0 I would love to be there some day.”<\/p>\n
Perez acknowledged that Spaniard Alonso, Ferrari’s much-loved number one, would be a difficult teammate.<\/p>\n
“Very difficult, I would say Alonso is the most difficult on all of the grid to have as your teammate, I respect him a lot,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
Reportedly on the cusp of a top seat, Perez is nonetheless still fending off suggestions he is a ‘pay driver’, due to his strong backing by the Mexican sponsor Telmex.<\/p>\n
“In these days you do depend more on your support,” admitted Perez, “but I believe the talent remains the priority.<\/p>\n
“Even with the drivers having support, I don’t think there are any bad drivers on the grid.<\/p>\n
“I was criticised a lot for coming with the Telmex money, but if you look back, a driver who wins five races in GP2 and loses the title by 10 points will normally go in F1 the next year.<\/p>\n
“It (Telmex) is an influence, but to say it’s why I’m here is not fair,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
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