I thought something was a little strange when a press release from Johnnie Walker regarding an event here in Austin which included Sergio Perez was resent a few days later but this time it didn’t not mention the McLaren driver’s presence.
It makes sense now as Perez released a statement that he won’t be with the team in 2014:
“First of all, I would like to thank McLaren for giving me the opportunity to be with them this season,”
“It has been an honour for me to have been in one of the most competitive teams in the sport and I do not regret even a bit having joined them. I have always given the best of me for the team and still despite this I could not achieve what I aimed for in this historic team.
“I am committed to deliver very good results in these last two races, especially in Austin. I am so much looking forward to see all my people gathered there, feel their energy and show them the best of me.
“I would like to say to every single one of my fans around the world and in my country that I am eternally grateful to them. They have never let me down, especially in difficult moments like these. I truly appreciate their support, they have never forgotten me.
“I have met a lot of new people at McLaren this season and I have made many good friends as well. From the top management level to marketing, accounting and engineering departments to the mechanics, the cooks, the catering people and basically everyone in the team, I am eternally grateful to them. It has been a learning experience to me.”
Perez got a year in a pig of a car and a pink slip for his efforts. Is that fair? The teams is said to announce Kevin Magnussen shortly as his replacement and as a member of their young driver development program, that makes sense but was it a fair shake for Perez?
Sad to see potentially both Mexican drivers off the grid on the cusp of a return of the Mexican Grand Prix.
