Dec.29 (GMM) Sergio Perez has admitted that his F1 dream would have likely slipped away if he had not been signed to make his debut in 2011.

The 20-year-old Mexican, backed by the Carlos Slim-led Telmex company, is quoted by the Spanish website motor21.com: "I think this was my last chance to enter F1."

Just before Christmas at Hinwil, Perez had his seat fitting for next year's Ferrari-powered Sauber C30 and admitted that a third consecutive season in GP2 in 2011 "would have made it difficult" to progress to F1.

He ultimately finished the season second behind fellow 2011 F1 rookie Pastor Maldonado, admitting that he felt the pressure this year.

"Half way through the negotiations with the F1 teams began and I was fourth or fifth (in GP2), and at this time Carlos Slim was clear with me.

"He told me that if I was not in the fight for the championship then I would not be in the minds of the teams and my chance was going to slip away," explained Perez.

He also played down suggestions that money is outpacing talent at present in terms of which young drivers are moving into F1.

"F1 is a world of big money and we have noticed that there was a lot of interest with the business opportunities in Mexico, and for sure it didn't hurt me," said Perez.

"But I have proved that I am a good driver; nobody has given me anything."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version