Perez, your thoughts?

I'm wondering if Luca knows something when he says that Perez isn't matured enough to drive for Ferrari.

It seems to me lately that Perez is hyped a bit. Not that he isn't a good driver so the hype is understandable. But somehow I feel he's going to be another Kovalainen at McLaren, never going to live up to the expectations.

What do you think?

 

good driver, will probably win a few GPs on his day, but I think LdM made the right move , he usually does, FM would probably shade him if they were both ON days for them and Felipe already has an understanding with the team

 

+1

"Competent" is about it for now. Time will tell.

Also +1. But, you better get yer flamesuit on! According to some here, he's the worst driver in the entire field! You or I could do better!...... And LdM is an incompetent fool!

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well, we already know what Massa is capable of, but Pérez still has room for improvement.

The problem I see is that now McLaren has two drivers that are good on the long run but quite often not qualify well. Are they going to win a championship starting from the back?

 

There's room for improvement, he's made a few avoidable mistakes but he'll learn. When he's got the car setup well he's very quick. The sauber is a very odd car; if it works at a track they're there racing with the big boys, but a week later they'll struggle to qualify 12th or higher.

 

It's too early to say anything. ALthough, think he did show some flashes of a very young Seb Vettel.

 

He knows how to take a solid hit and recover quickly? -see Monaco '11


other than that I have no idea regarding this fellow. To me, he's had a string of fortuitous situations very similar to Fernando this season.

 

Perez is on an upward learning curve, so he could become much better. LdM made the right choice, or the logical choice, depending if you consider 2014 driver line-up, or business to be most important.

LdM has very likely already confirmed/signed his drivers for 2014. Confirmed Alonso, and has under contract the second driver. Someone LdM considers to be better/faster than Perez. Possibly someone seasoned, like Kimi.

From a business standpoint, Ferrari does not pay its driver's salaries. If Perez came along, Telmex would have to pay his way, and I really doubt that Slim would take a second sponsorship position behind Santander. Actually a third position if you count Marlboro. Possibly Marlboro, which I understand controls the sponsorship of the ENTIRE car, had a problem with Telmex's blue colors, while both Santander and Marlboro, along with Ferrari, have red as their primary color. Sounds stupid, but logos are important in business.

I am curious as to the Vodafone/Telmex connection on the McLaren in 2013, possibly Telmex is not paying for Perez, since McLaren usually pays its driver's salaries.

I think the reason is the first one I mentioned, LdM has someone already proven to join the team in 2014.

 

LdM doesnt buy possibilities or potential.
He's the guy that overpays for proven.

I think Perez will do just fine.
IMO his first few races were stellar but lets see how long term motivation works out.

 

I see more raw talent in Perez than I ever saw in Kovalainen as he imo was just not aggressive enough and scared of taking chances. I guess only time will tell.

 

If you go back in time when Massa was driving for Sauber you will recall he wasn't the most mature driver either, certainly not Ferrari seat material.. I recall plenty of spins and mistakes even more than what Perez has been doing and I was surprised at the time that he got the Ferrari seat

Even tho F1 is a world sport it's roots are still based in Europe so there is major political spin with every story. Maybe he made that point because Perez was asking too much money? or encouraging Massa to stay another year...


I don't think Perez will do anything special next year, Button will dominate him

 

No doubt Perez is still a developing driver, but look how quickly Vettel matured. He was like a different person on his 2nd year with RB. Perez has that potential, but we'll have a better sense where he stands after next season is over. And just like Vettel, the team that sees that potential early on can have a champion in its hands while paying him peanuts. Signing champions is a lot more tricky and expensive. I think Ferrari screwed up by not signing Perez for 2013. Why? Because even getting a seasoned driver is not a guarantee he'd be a fit with the team and culture. A young driver like Perez is much more 'maleable', much cheaper, has great sponsorship, and has the potential to even be a #1 driver. If it doesn't work out, just kick him out. And he wouldn't have been the most inexperienced rookie to be signed on, right? But what's done is done. If he becomes a second Vettel, I'm sure they'd reconsider their position. Might be a disaster, and be proven right . We'll see in a year.

 

He does need to mature and become more 'team' friendly. I can see why LdM was continously not given to replace Felipe with him. Mclaren are on record now on Autosport last week saying they KNOW Perez is youg and needs work/attention.

Thats not a shock as he has very little F1 experience overall. He obviously has talent and has done well to take advantage of the point scoring opportunity this year so far.

 

he was a good driver and I think Michael endorsed the buy

then why was Webber high on the hit list ?

Button will probably score twice as many points and I believe will battle for the WDC without Mr Disruptive in the other car

 

I think with the right coaching and all, Perez can eventually dominate button. I mean he's gentle on the tyres as well.

 

Has potential. Needs to work on qualifying pace. Remains to be seen how he handles the pressures of a major team. It's easy to play the role of underdog especially when I believe Sauber's car is actually very good this year, raising Perez's reputation past where it probably belongs...

 

mate, I have flameproof pyjamas ever since I registered on the first version of fchat

And BTW, according to the Aussie section, I'm 3 secs behind anyone including Felipe

 

You sure are!

 

aren't you the guest clown at a kids party ??

Leave me alone in my slow lap times