Reports suggesting McLaren will replace Sergio Perez with Kevin Magnussen are gathering momentum, with expectations an official announcement will follow after this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
That’s given Perez the unwanted freedom to comment on what he calls “probably the worst season in history” for McLaren. While Perez is one of only three drivers to finish every race so far this year, along with teammate Jenson Button and Marussia’s Max Chilton, the 23-year-old Mexican can only count the modest return of fifth place at the Indian Grand Prix as his best result.
He currently has 35 world championship points; a long way off the 66 points and three podiums he recorded last year with Sauber.
“I’m very disappointed,” he told Brazil’s Totalrace. “I think when your goals are much higher than your results, you get disappointed. And that goes for both sides.”
Figuring he has the talent to do better, Perez is placing the blame for his poor results squarely at McLaren.
“It’s a great team, I have no doubt of it, with a very capable crew, but I think it lacked organisation and a little bit of humility to face the reality,” he said. “During the season, being a great team, McLaren took a long time to recognise the reality of where we were, which was scoring points on a good weekend, and not winning races.”
Facing the prospect of an off-season looking for a drive Perez doesn’t have too many options, with Force India perhaps being his best bet. Although, Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil might have something to say about that.
[Source: Motorsport.com | Pic: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]