Q+A with Serio Pérez

Sergio Pérez, who will be racing for the Sauber F1 Team alongside Kamui Kobayashi in 2011, is currently visiting the team’s factory in Hinwil. The 20-year-old Mexican has had his seat fitting and talks about what else he has experienced in Switzerland so far and what he expects from the future.

What was the purpose of your visit here in Hinwil? Sergio Pérez: “I came here to meet my future team and also to find out where I am going to live here. I want to be very close to the factory and to spend as much time as possible with them in my first season. I’m looking forward to having this experience and succeeding with the Sauber team. I think they’re a great bunch of people; they received me very, very well, and I am really happy. I did quite a lot of work with the engineers as it is good to get to know each other. All in all it was a very nice experience.”

What was your impression of the factory? “It is a great factory, it is really huge. It seems that here you’ve got all the environment and resources which are needed to build a competitive Formula One car and to succeed. I hope everything goes well with preparations for the next season, and then we should have a good car.”

When will you be driving the Formula One car for the first time? “That will be in Abu Dhabi on November 17th. Wednesday right after my final GP2 race I will do one day and then we will see what comes next.”

How well do you know Kamui Kobayashi? “I know him a little from GP2 where we were both racing in 2009. I think he is a great driver, I rate him highly. He has also done some really impressive racing in Formula One, so I think he will be a very good benchmark for me. We have to work together and develop the car in order to achieve the best possible results.”

What does the Formula One contract mean to you? “It is a dream come true. I started racing at the age of six and always pushed myself to make it into Formula One. I had a very difficult time when going alone to Europe – to Germany actually – at the age of 15. It was hard but I took my chances. Now I’m looking forward to succeeding in Formula One.”

What fascinates you about racing? “Competition. I love to compete – every single day. Not only in driving, also on the physical and mental side.”