57 replies to this topic

[Eenofair1]

As I didn't watch f1 in 2013, I would appreciate detailed discussion and information as to why Perez was signed then dropped in 2013 from Mclaren and would he be a shrewd signing for McLaren in 2019 unfinished business?

Apparently sky sports are stating they are in talks.

http://www.skysports...out-2019-return

I read the history from sky f1 regarding 2013 Perez/Mclaren but prefer forum users opinions!

Edited by Eenofair1, 29 August 2018 - 11:37.

[PayasYouRace]

My understanding was that they wanted to bring Magnussen in and either Button or Perez had to go. Button had the better season.

[noikeee]

Perez was an almost knee-jerk, last minute panic reaction from McLaren when Mercedes hired Hamilton from them and needed to be replaced. He was a promising driver doing well for Sauber and they took a punt on him.

However his year for McLaren didn't go particularly well. He could often match Button in pace, but was sometimes slightly slower and got into too many incidents over the season. Ultimately got outscored and it didn't really look like he had the potential to become the next Hamilton like they would've hoped for. With Kevin Magnussen at that moment in time coming up through the junior ranks looking really promising (he won the World Series by Renault the year Perez drove for them), who already had a contract with McLaren as a junior driver, they decided to promote him to a race seat for the next year instead of keeping Perez - it was now already clear Perez was not the next Hamilton, but Magnussen could still be. Ultimately, whilst it made sense at the time, this proved a questionable decision as Magnussen overall was further away from Button than Perez was, although Magnussen started extremely strongly with a podium on his debut race finishing ahead of Button, but as the season went on he got further and further away from him. McLaren chucked out Magnussen after one season just like they had done with Perez, and took an opportunity that meanwhile opened, to sign Alonso instead.

There were also suggestions McLaren were unhappy with Perez's attitude and workrate, IIRC their long standing staff member Jo Ramirez who is Mexican like Perez and was instrumental to bringing him to the team, plainly slagged him off in the media saying he wasn't taking this job and unique opportunity for his career seriously enough.

[Risil]

They all come crawling back to Sergio in the end

[SophieB]

My gut feel is they all along felt bounced into picking Perez way too quickly, with the real motivator being to beat Mercedes to their announcement of signing Lewis. For whatever the reason, they gave off a ton of mixed messages that seemed to undermine their new driver, publicly saying to the press how Perez wasn't as fit as Lewis and would have to work hard, then how he needed to be more aggressive in races and 'get his elbows out' a bit more, then saying he was getting involved in too many on-track incidents. Add in Jo Ramirez who'd previously massively supporting him making comments about Perez's entitled attitude and to me it smacked of a team who'd acted in haste and repented at leisure. Who can say. 

 

i also remember there were lots of rumours that the 'keep or drop Perez' was tied to the power struggle for control of the team between the then TP Martin Whitmarsh and Ron Dennis, with MW wanting to keep Perez and Ron not. Including wild rumours of the garage personnnel basically being asked 'do you like Perez, tick yes/no'.  So maybe his fate was never fully in his own hands.

[messy]

Perez was a bit of a 'panic signing' when Hamilton went off to Mercedes I think, in the same way Daniil Kvyat was for Red Bull a couple of years later. McLaren at that stage still had a claim to be one of the top teams and I always thought Perez and McLaren was a slightly uncomfortable union for whatever reason. Maybe he wouldn't have been top of their list had other drivers been available, and from his perspective he'd been so closely linked with a move to Ferrari throughout 2012 that it seemed like his future was in red overalls and McLaren came as a bit of a surprise. 

 

Also think Button and Perez wasn't the best pairing for any comparison. They're not similar drivers really - at that point especially Perez was much more 'edgy' and aggressive and Button very smooth - but the end result is two drivers who weren't that quick over a single lap but better on race day. So obviously then qualifying is almost a dead heat and the races Jenson has the edge because he's already been at the team for years. Not good enough for Perez to impress. Probably not much chance for him to impress. Button was the old guy, not as fast as Hamilton, coming towards the end of his career, if Perez couldn't consistently beat Button then clearly he was way off Hamilton too. 

 

Then there was McLaren's decline, that dog of a 2013 chassis that Hamilton would have struggled to put on the podium too had he stayed - but it looks for all the world like as soon as Lewis leaves McLaren slump and so therefore the drivers must be the weak links, right? In reality probably not, but then McLaren have always been quite good at pointing the finger at other parties to mask their own deficiencies. 

 

He didn't do bad. The drivers weren't the problem. Button was still performing very well and Perez did well to run him quite close in his first season there (and only third in F1) with the backdrop of all the problems at McLaren, rumours about his attitude, fitness etc, but he was made to appear a weak link and the writing was on the wall. He should have been kept on, but hey. 

[coppilcus]

He won the qualifying battle and was head to head on pace in the races, getting beaten in them by a talented world champion like Button, thanks to his experience and racing craft, but luck as well. Perez misfortunes in Monaco (his own responsibility: extremely aggressive), Korea and Silverstone (Pirelli cheese tyres), we’re just a few of the races he should’ve scored more points to his final tally, leaving a more probable balanced statistical output, accordingly to his race pace. Loosing against an underrated Button in his third season, should not be the yoke by which many rate him as capable of a ‘middle grid only’ tier driver or ‘paydriver’.

McLaren have been producing bathtubs with wheels since 2013, but many still afirms that Perez already had his opportunity at a top team... Well, that ‘top team’ already screwed the career of Perez, Magnussen, Vandoorne and is forcing Alonso into retirement. I can’t confirm that McLaren was his opportunity at a top seat.

Pretty dodgie stuff happened when they were negotiating for the 2014 season, suddenly everyone started talking about his mood, work ethic, simulator data, etc, and this began when Perez’s backers did not agreed Dennis terms for sponsorship: McLaren wanted more than Slim’s group saw it was worth and everything exploded with tacky episodes in the USA GP with the official McLaren merchandising store. At least that’s the gossip, McLaren still can’t find a title sponsorship partner, and thought they could find it with Slim’s group.

He certainly does not have the character to attract hordes of fans and it’s not lightning quick, but that things are the patrimony of only two or three drivers in every generation.

He’s certainly an underrated driver...

Edited by coppilcus, 29 August 2018 - 09:38.

[Talisman]

I think in addition to all the above Perez was signed on the expectation that Slim would bring in more money than he had to Sauber but this wasn't to be.  With Honda on the horizon Perez's money wasn't as attractive as it had been before, he failed to set the world alight and was the victim of a power struggle within McLaren and if gossip is to be believed had an ego that outweighed his talent.

 

The main difference between 2013 and 2019 is that McLaren are in a substantially worse financial position and Perez has 5 seasons more experience under his belt.  So the driver is more attractive and the team is in a weaker position.

 

What is more interesting about his potentially signing for McLaren is what it says about FI.  Perez still brings in decent funding which is how he cemented himself in place at FI.  He cleverly signed a new contract before FI went into adminstration so if he's talking to McLaren it means that Stroll sr no longer sees his money as being necessary.  Perhaps this would mean Ocon staying at FI which would tally with Stroll wanting closer ties to Mercedes which is perhaps worth more financially than what Perez could bring.

 

This would also mean Norris won't be driving next season for McLaren since Sainz has already been signed up.  AFAIA that means he may be a free agent if he isn't given a race seat by the end of 2018 so signing Perez would mean Mclaren had little leverage over RBR for getting Key quicker than planned.

[Tenmantaylor]

Sergio has proved to be a really good driver on his day. Ocon is highly rated and is pretty much the finished article but Perez still showed him the way last weekend. Keeping the car out of the wall at Eau Rouge in qualifying also scores extra points. Think of all the horrendous crashes you've seen there in the dry and then look at what Perez did on slicks in the wet. Epic skills!

 

Oh, and he brings cash monies and would destroy Stroll if he stayed at RPFI. Need we say more.

[F1matt]

Is Sergio Perez really an underrated driver? I would say he is a consistent driver who shows little sign of "stepping up" to handle a big team, he was part of the Ferrari academy who dropped him, arguably so he could take the McLaren drive but hard to see how he would of compared against Jules Bianchi; he signed for McLaren and lasted only a season. Perez seems to struggle in close quarters, run ins with Button when they were team mates, Massa when he was penalised and given a grid drop for the following race, and a few times last season with his team mate Esteban Ocon.

He is a perennial midfielder who needs the patronage of a Mexican billionaire to remain in the sport. 

[Spillage]

I would definitely say Perez is underrated. He saw off Kobayashi and is the only driver to edge out Hulkenberg in the same car since Hulkenberg was a rookie.

I wish he'd won that race at Malaysia in 2012. That one mistake he made whilst bearing down on Alonso has probably done his career quite a bit of damage. He deserves another shot at a top team - I don't think he's any worse than Bottas, Raikkonen or Gasly.

[KWSN - DSM]

Perez lost his McLaren drive because McLaren could not place Magnussen in another team when they wanted him in F1, allegedly Force India renegged on them having said they would do so. Had Force India taken Magnussen, Perez would have stayed at McLaren, then he or Button would have lost his seat the year later when Alonso suddenly became a McLaren driver out of nowhere.

 

McLaren have not ruined the careers of Perez, Magnussen or Vandoorne, the drivers just were in the wrong seat at the wrong time before they had build credentials strong enough, for Perez and Magnussen not strong enough to unseat Button, for Vandoorne likely being a fairly good F1 driver tasked against one of the top 2 talents currently in F1 while driving cars woefully poor.

 

[TFLB]

Is Sergio Perez really an underrated driver? I would say he is a consistent driver who shows little sign of "stepping up" to handle a big team, he was part of the Ferrari academy who dropped him, arguably so he could take the McLaren drive but hard to see how he would of compared against Jules Bianchi; he signed for McLaren and lasted only a season. Perez seems to struggle in close quarters, run ins with Button when they were team mates, Massa when he was penalised and given a grid drop for the following race, and a few times last season with his team mate Esteban Ocon.

He is a perennial midfielder who needs the patronage of a Mexican billionaire to remain in the sport. 

 

Wrong. In fact he's probably one of the better drivers in close battles; very rarely hits anyone. The run-ins with Button I seem to remember Perez winning and Button whining as usual. And the run ins with Ocon... well they've all been of Ocon's creation except for Spa last year. 

[TFLB]

I would definitely say Perez is underrated. He saw off Kobayashi and is the only driver to edge out Hulkenberg in the same car since Hulkenberg was a rookie.

I wish he'd won that race at Malaysia in 2012. That one mistake he made whilst bearing down on Alonso has probably done his career quite a bit of damage. He deserves another shot at a top team - I don't think he's any worse than Bottas, Raikkonen or Gasly.

 

Now you mention Kobayashi, that brings to mind another missed opportunity for Sauber. Apparently they were very confident Kobayashi could win at Spa 2012 from the front row... but then Grosjean Grosjeaned. Shame. 

[Clatter]

He won the qualifying battle and was head to head on pace in the races, getting beaten in them by a talented world champion like Button, thanks to his experience and racing craft, but luck as well. Perez misfortunes in Monaco (his own responsibility: extremely aggressive), Korea and Silverstone (Pirelli cheese tyres), we’re just a few of the races he should’ve scored more points to his final tally, leaving a more probable balanced statistical output, accordingly to his race pace. Loosing against an underrated Button in his third season, should not be the yoke by which many rate him as capable of a ‘middle grid only’ tier driver or ‘paydriver’.

McLaren have been producing bathtubs with wheels since 2013, but many still afirms that Perez already had his opportunity at a top team... Well, that ‘top team’ already screwed the career of Perez, Magnussen, Vandoorne and is forcing Alonso into retirement. I can’t confirm that McLaren was his opportunity at a top seat.

Pretty dodgie stuff happened when they were negotiating for the 2014 season, suddenly everyone started talking about his mood, work ethic, simulator data, etc, and this began when Perez’s backers did not agreed Dennis terms for sponsorship: McLaren wanted more than Slim’s group saw it was worth and everything exploded with tacky episodes in the USA GP with the official McLaren merchandising store. At least that’s the gossip, McLaren still can’t find a title sponsorship partner, and thought they could find it with Slim’s group.

He certainly does not have the character to attract hordes of fans and it’s not lightning quick, but that things are the patrimony of only two or three drivers in every generation.

He’s certainly an underrated driver...

Forcing Alonso into retirement? That's his own choice as he has said in the press that he has had multiple offers.

[Lights]

Well, that ‘top team’ already screwed the career of Perez, Magnussen, Vandoorne and is forcing Alonso into retirement. 
 

 

They didn't force Alonso into retirement. I think that was more the case with Button, because they already wanted to debut Vandoorne a year earlier and as a result of Button wanting to stay they then had to send Vandoorne to Super Formula for a year in 2016 instead. 

Edited by Lights, 29 August 2018 - 10:46.

[Paul Parker]

They didn't force Alonso into retirement. I think that was more the case with Button, because they already wanted to debut Vandoorne a year earlier and as a result of Button wanting to stay they then had to send Vandoorne to Super Formula for a year in 2016 instead. 

 

Much good that has done Vandoorne.

[Lights]

Much good that has done Vandoorne.

What do you mean?

[CoolBreeze]

Why would he go to a backmarker team? Makes no sense. 

[SpeedRacer`]

I think Perez has improved since then. He gradually got more and more competitive against Hulk in their time together, the 2018 Perez would equal 2013 Button IMO.

 

I'm sure MW will have a chuckle to himself if they do re-sign him, after he campaigned internally to keep him.

 

They had both Magnussen and Vandoorne waiting in the wings so felt they needed to do something.

[Darren1]

It wasn't his driving, but his personality.  Jo Ramirez really tried to help Sergio fit in at McLaren, but he was left disappointed:

 

Jo Ramirez, McLaren's former long-time team manager, has slammed fellow Mexican Sergio Perez.

McLaren ousted Perez, 24, after a single season at the end of last year in favour of Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen.

"As a driver Sergio was actually not bad (at McLaren)," Ramirez, a former advisor to Perez, told motorline.cc. "I think he was also getting better.

"Sergio was just not good enough as a person. He didn't really cooperate with the team, he was too cocky. His attitude was very bad," he claimed.

"He was unpopular with the engineers, with everyone. I often criticise him in the media, but I do not criticise him as a driver. He's a good driver."

"It's such a shame," Jo Ramirez continued. "I was at the Jerez test this year and spent time with McLaren and Sauber, and no one was able to say something good about Sergio. They all say that he needs to change his attitude if he wants to stay in formula one."

 

https://www.auto123....de?artid=169203

[GiorgioF1]

Why would he go to a backmarker team? Makes no sense. 

 

Money and being free of being Lance's maid would be enough of a reason. He will probably be faster than Sainz so McLaren can build a team around him. Also there is a few percent chance that McLaren will make a competitive car again. There is a lot of reasons.

Edited by GiorgioF1, 29 August 2018 - 11:11.

[absinthedude]

I agree with a lot of what's already been said.

 

McLaren needed a replacement for Hamilton when he left for Mercedes. McLaren were looking longer term at giving KMag a drive, so they were likely offering a one year deal. By the time the vacancy was available, there were few experienced, "top" drivers around without a watertight contract for 2013. Perez was never a comfortable fit at McLaren but he was championed by Jo Ramirez, who had the respect of the whole team and indeed entire paddock having been in F1 for around 40 years - the last 20 for McLaren. 

 

Looking back, Perez did pretty well. In a new team his results were not that far off those achieved by Button who had already been there three seasons. But results in general were poor for McLaren in 2013, with not a single podium. The team still thought of itself as the titans who gave Hamilton his first WDC, and let's remember they were still winning occasional races in 2012. What nobody saw was that this was the beginning of the slide that McLaren still haven't dug themselves out from. It was a time of conflict within the team too, with some members wanting Ron Dennis out. It cannot have been a fun place to be.

 

And then Jo Ramirez, previously so supportive, stuck a knife in Checo's back. Now I have huge respect for Ramirez, few people achieved as much as he in admin roles in F1 teams. He saw triumph, tragedy and everything inbetween. But I'm still not sure why he turned on Perez. Maybe he genuinely thought Checo's work ethic wasn't up to scratch. Maybe there was some truth in it. 

 

McLaren definitely wanted KMag in an F1 seat, and if the information above is correct (that they were unable to place him at Force India) then that would explain why they were able to place Perez at Force India. Perhaps they even had a contract with KMag to the effect that he'd be racing in F1 for 2014. Either way, the decision probably looked sensible at the time. McLaren thought they'd have a better year in 2014, have Button win races and help mentor the next great hope. In the end, KMag underperformed and McLaren still failed to win a race....Ron Dennis was ousted and Honda were on the horizon. 

 

As things turned out, with the benefit of hindsight, years later KMag has begun to show the promise McLaren expected in 2014. Perez has continued to quietly impress at Force India. It's possible that neither is "the next big thing" in the way Max is....but both are very handy drivers who probably have the talent to win some grands prix. I postulate that McLaren have decided to let Vandoorne go. They're not sure Lando Norris is ready. They have a safe pair of hands for 2019 with Sainz, and want an excellent driver to pair with him. Perez would suit that role if they can't get Ocon (who may be a touch better). While it's said that Perez is near to signing for Force India again, he currently hasn't got a contract and McLaren would naturally be talking to him.

[Dennista]

Still better than Stoffel Vandoom.

[MrHypercar]

If Perez is underrated, F1 is absolutely stuffed with top tier drivers. Especially Ocon being able to match him so closely so early into his F1 graduation. 

[Eenofair1]

Thanks everyone for information about the 2013 Mclaren/Perez combo.

👍

Edited by Eenofair1, 29 August 2018 - 11:40.

[Lights]

Regarding the poll:
Should McLaren try to sign Perez? Sure, why not.
Should Perez sign with McLaren? No.

[LH44Fan]

...being free of being Lance's maid would be enough of a reason.

 

...and that there is my thinking too, only reason why he would want to leave a fast car for a 2-lap-down car. This ties in with the thread I started a while back, seems i'm not the only one in my armchair thinking the same. It's a consideration for the drivers also.

 

If both Ocon and Perez leave RPFI then it would seem I was spot on and i'll be interested to see what mule takes the 2nd seat in Papa Stroll's team. Let's see.

[Dunc]

Hit 'yes' by mistake. Perez would be mad to go to McLaren given the state they're in. 

 

I once saw a job advertised at McLaren and thought it might be worth a go. I then had a look at Glassdoor and it was really shocking. A disgruntled employee is obviously more likely to talk but the reviews there are almost universally negative. Supposedly the MTC is so crowded even getting a parking space or a meeting room is impossible. If a team can't even manage basic tasks like that there is no chance of it being able to put a decent car on the grid.

[JHSingo]

How many drivers have now been linked to McLaren in the immediate future? It is starting to get rather ridiculous. 

 

They've got Sainz, may well have Lando Norris there by next year, Esteban Ocon has been linked there recently, Vandoorne could stay there...whatever do they want Perez for? Only reason I could think of would be money.

 

It seems like McLaren has become Renault from a couple of years ago. Anyone checked if they've offered a drive to the Pope, yet?

 

Surely the priority should be sorting their car out rather than constantly swapping and changing drivers. 

[Clatter]

Why would he go to a backmarker team? Makes no sense.

At this time it could be as simple as RP can't/won't tell him what their future plans are, so doesnt know if he will be offered a contract. Makes sense to cover the bases.

[BuddyHolly]

Voted no, they have better options that the (imo) overrated Perez.

[Lights]

Voted no, they have better options that the (imo) overrated Perez.

How would you rate him then?

[messy]

On the poll - for me, a match made in hell is (almost) a match made in heaven now we're talking 2019. Perez would be very good for McLaren. 

[charly0418]

Voted no, they have better options that the (imo) overrated Perez.

And he has better options than joining the next Williams

[Spillage]

Now you mention Kobayashi, that brings to mind another missed opportunity for Sauber. Apparently they were very confident Kobayashi could win at Spa 2012 from the front row... but then Grosjean Grosjeaned. Shame.

They were 2nd and 4th on the grid and on for one of their best ever results before Grosjean intervened. You're right, it was a huge shame.

[subh]

Regarding the poll:
Should McLaren try to sign Perez? Sure, why not.
Should Perez sign with McLaren? No.

I agree. How many podium results have there been for McLaren since Pérez left them, and how many has he achieved in a midfield Force India in that time? That would be two for McLaren (in that very first race of 2014) and five for Pérez (and it could have been more). I can’t see him moving to another team, and surely not McLaren. Force India* are a better bet, especially as they will now be able to invest more money into development. They could be more competitive in 2019 and I’m not sure that will be true of McLaren.
* (or whatever it will be called)

[Clatter]

And he has better options than joining the next Williams

Such as?

[Clatter]

I agree. How many podium results have there been for McLaren since Pérez left them, and how many has he achieved in a midfield Force India in that time? That would be two for McLaren (in that very first race of 2014) and five for Pérez (and it could have been more). I can’t see him moving to another team, and surely not McLaren. Force India* are a better bet, especially as they will now be able to invest more money into development. They could be more competitive in 2019 and I’m not sure that will be true of McLaren.
* (or whatever it will be called)

Your assuming he has a choice in the matter. Its possible RP have plans of their own that don't include him.

[Nathan]

I remember Perez was dumped due to maturity and character issues.  I suspect most of that has been corrected.  Few successful 28 year olds act the same as they did at 23.

[sopa]

I remember Perez was dumped due to maturity and character issues.  I suspect most of that has been corrected.  Few successful 28 year olds act the same as they did at 23.

 

I think Perez as a driver reached a new level in his driving in the second half of 2014. He became more consistent and his racecraft improved, which meant he was involved in far fewer accidents.

 

If you want, you could relate it to improvement in attitude too, thus becoming a more mature driver all-around.

[charly0418]

Such as?

Haas, Force Stroll

[Clatter]

Haas, Force Stroll

 

Have they offered him a seat? If not, then they are not an option.

[Button4life]

He was slower than Button at the start of the season but became closer and closer towards the end. At that time McLaren was looking for the next Hamilton or atleast somebody that was comparable to Button. McLaren basically dropped every driver that wasnt't and they're still doing that with Vandoorne next. At that time I thought it was the wrong decision to drop him and looking at the last few years Perez should be very happy he was dropped.

[SPBHM]

I thought Perez was doing fine against Button apart from some mistakes that cost him a decent amount of points... with the added years of experience now he is probably even better, so for Mclaren he would be a great choice, solid driver with lots of experience

 

but for Perez it's probably not the best option.

Edited by SPBHM, 29 August 2018 - 22:49.

[charly0418]

Have they offered him a seat? If not, then they are not an option.

Well... he has a contract signed with Stroll India

[theflyingwheel]

Have they offered him a seat? If not, then they are not an option.

How do you know they haven't ?

[New Britain]

McLaren definitely wanted KMag in an F1 seat, and if the information above is correct (that they were unable to place him at Force India) then that would explain why they were able to place Perez at Force India. Perhaps they even had a contract with KMag to the effect that he'd be racing in F1 for 2014. Either way, the decision probably looked sensible at the time. McLaren thought they'd have a better year in 2014, have Button win races and help mentor the next great hope. In the end, KMag underperformed and McLaren still failed to win a race....Ron Dennis was ousted and Honda were on the horizon. 
 

Ron was not ousted until two years later.

[New Britain]

Hit 'yes' by mistake. Perez would be mad to go to McLaren given the state they're in. 

 

I once saw a job advertised at McLaren and thought it might be worth a go. I then had a look at Glassdoor and it was really shocking. A disgruntled employee is obviously more likely to talk but the reviews there are almost universally negative. Supposedly the MTC is so crowded even getting a parking space or a meeting room is impossible. If a team can't even manage basic tasks like that there is no chance of it being able to put a decent car on the grid.

No offence, but to criticise McLaren because it is hard for staff to find parking places on site is a bit silly. They can't find parking places because the company employs many more people than they did when the facility was being planned 17 years ago. That is normally considered to be a sign of business success.

 

The reason that they cannot add to the existing parking spaces is that the local authority won't allow it.

 

One might criticise the organisation (at the time, aka Ron) for insisting that they build their new facility outside of Woking rather than many miles away where they might have acquired a site with fewer planning limitations, but to criticise them now because they allegedly "can't even manage basic tasks" such as expanding employee on site parking is not realistic and totally irrelevant to whether Sergio Perez should want to drive for them.

[Ben24]

It wasn't his driving, but his personality.  Jo Ramirez really tried to help Sergio fit in at McLaren, but he was left disappointed:

 

Jo Ramirez, McLaren's former long-time team manager, has slammed fellow Mexican Sergio Perez.

McLaren ousted Perez, 24, after a single season at the end of last year in favour of Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen.

"As a driver Sergio was actually not bad (at McLaren)," Ramirez, a former advisor to Perez, told motorline.cc. "I think he was also getting better.

"Sergio was just not good enough as a person. He didn't really cooperate with the team, he was too cocky. His attitude was very bad," he claimed.

"He was unpopular with the engineers, with everyone. I often criticise him in the media, but I do not criticise him as a driver. He's a good driver."

"It's such a shame," Jo Ramirez continued. "I was at the Jerez test this year and spent time with McLaren and Sauber, and no one was able to say something good about Sergio. They all say that he needs to change his attitude if he wants to stay in formula one."

 

https://www.auto123....de?artid=169203

I could believe this. To me it seemed like Perez was really getting the upper hand on Button in the second half of the season. Was surprised to see him ousted at the time.

 

I've always felt he was underrated since then as a driver but always found his personality hard to like.