Perez will take the place of Lewis Hamilton, who is widely believed to be about to
confirm a move to Mercedes.
A trio of podium finishes
in his second season so far has marked Perez out as a driver of the future.
“I’m thrilled and delighted
to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver,” said Perez.
“The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the
history of Formula 1. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every
racing driver has aspired to drive for – I was brought up on the great stories
of Ayrton Senna’s many
world championship triumphs for McLaren – and I’m truly honoured that they’ve
chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards.”
Perez added: “I’d like to
thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years old, without whom
I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“Our journey together over
the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I’ll do everything in my
power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I have
been working so hard and so long to achieve together.
“As I say, I’ve worked very
hard to get to this stage in my career, and I’m now massively looking forward
to this next even more exciting stage. It’s fantastic that all the sacrifices
I’ve made are now paying off.
“For example, I remember
very clearly the first day I left my family, when I was 15, to live in Germany
to race in Formula BMW. It was tough for me – I was sleeping in a restaurant at
that time – but the dream of one day becoming a Formula 1 driver kept me going
through those difficult days.
“Finally, I’d like to thank
my beloved family, who’ve encouraged me at every turn, and last but far from
least the people of Mexico, my home country, whose magnificent support I’ll do
my very best to reward with future successes with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”
“Giant-killing performances”
McLaren team
principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “On behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes, I’m delighted to welcome Sergio on board. His performances throughout
2012 have convinced us that he’s an extremely exciting prospect for the future.
“It was a string of
giant-killing performances, a trio of podiums and a brilliant fastest lap in
this year’s Monaco Grand Prix that showed us that Sergio lacks nothing in terms
of speed and commitment.
“We’ve been monitoring his
progress carefully for some months – and, now that he’s become part of the
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, our task will be to refine and develop his
abilities as his career progresses over the coming years.
“Uniting Sergio alongside
Jenson will give us a very broad base of driver ability. Jenson is one of
motorsport’s greatest ambassadors, and his unique blend of prodigious speed and
canny race-craft makes him formidably well-armed to fight for victory on any
Grand Prix circuit in the world. While Sergio is still developing his palette
of skills, we’re convinced that he’s not only talented and quick, but also that
he’s willing and eager to learn.”
“He’s perfectly poised to
develop into a world championship challenger. His addition to the Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes team provides us with the perfect two-pronged driver line-up
for the new season.”
Whitmarsh also paid tribute
to his outgoing driver: “Finally, it’s entirely appropriate that I should take
this opportunity to pass on our thanks to Lewis. He wrote a huge chapter of his
life and career with us, and was, and always will be, a fine member of an
exclusive club: the McLaren world champions’ club.
“It goes without saying
that we all wish him well for the future, just as it also goes without saying
that we hope and believe that Sergio, too, will become a member of that
exclusive club before too long.”
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