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Perez not ruling out Ferrari, Button heading for Williams?

Published on 21 Jun 2016 10:27
6
By: Rob Veenstra

Sergio Perez is not dismissing speculation he is in the running to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari for 2017. The Mexican has been showing the way to 2015 Le Mans winner and Force India teammate Nico Hulkenberg this year, and scored two podium finishes in the past three races.

"No, I think we'll be alright," Force India deputy Bob Fernley said after Perez's first podium of 2016 in Monaco. Fernley was referring to early speculation that Perez, also sponsored by common Ferrari backer Carlos Slim, might get some offers to leave Force India by the end of the year. "I think Sergio's happy where he is," Fernley added.

But that was before Azerbaijan, and Perez's second podium this year that has given new life to the Ferrari rumours. The 26-year-old knows Ferrari well, having been a development driver at Maranello and a race driver at Ferrari-powered Sauber before getting the call up by McLaren in 2013.

"To be honest I'm not really into these rumours," Perez said in Baku. "I have said it before that I am happy at Force India, but for the future who knows what will happen. We are still in the early part of the year to make any decisions for later in the year," he added.

Another silly-season rumour is that, if McLaren-Honda does not retain him for 2017, Jenson Button's first team Williams is interested in snapping up the now 36-year-old. "Button back at Williams is a great headline," deputy boss Claire Williams told Britain's Sky. "Of course he is going to be an attractive proposition if he is available." (GMM)

F1 News Jenson Button Kimi Räikkönen Sergio Perez Ferrari Sauber Williams McLaren Force India Honda

Replies (6)

Vet5

Posts: 225
I really hope Button does go to Williams, I think he is a key asset to a team! His maturity is beyond belief, going from fighting for podiums to now fighting to get in the top ten without really moaning about it. And for Perez he just needs to keep his head down and carry on with the form he has just now, never used to like him and he was far to 'excitable' when he was driving for McLaren but he seems to have matured.
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- Jun 21 2016 - 10:43
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Given how things are going at Mclaren Williams isnt a bad place to be *smh* Ron Dennis is too busy selling size zero design concept a.k.a Hot air!
  
  Perez hype is just hype, sure he got podiums but only because of the car's genuine pace at Baku over immediate competitors plus some favorable circumstances, Monaco's track helped prevent any overtakes. What was there to be shown was shown when he was at Mclaren and it wasn't anything special, so he got the boot. Going by cherry picked results is bad for business. Ferrari surely are not going to pick this guy over people like Bottas, Ricciardo, Rosberg if they can get their services should they part ways with Kimi, which they wont anytime soon.
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  Jun 21 2016 - 11:26
Capa

Posts: 7
Pfft. My grandma has been linked with a drive with Ferrari next year.

Bout as old as kimi, too...
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- Jun 21 2016 - 12:33
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Neither Perez or Kimi is a bad choice for McLaren, though Force India seem willing to block a move for Perez. Button to Williams wouldnt be a bad move either for either party. I definitely believe any team would benefit from having him on board.
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- Jun 21 2016 - 17:12
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Oh no we don't want that reject at Mclaren. No thanks. He was subpar then when it counted he is still subpar. The car they have with that engine combination is simply flattering the true abilities of Perez.
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  Jun 21 2016 - 17:20
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Nah, I meant Ferrari. I disagree on his abilities: he has outclassed Hulkenberg this season, and Hulkenberg is far from subpar.
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  Jun 22 2016 - 17:24