Jun.16 (GMM) If Sergio Perez has to sit out a third consecutive race, Pedro de la Rosa will occupy his Sauber seat.

Mexican Perez, 21, withdrew ill from his seat after initial Friday practice in Canada, two weeks after suffering concussion in a Monaco qualifying crash.

Sauber's managing director Monisha Kaltenborn on Thursday said the rookie is currently training in his native country.

"He is doing very well. We see no reason why he shouldn't drive in Valencia," she told Germany's motorsport-total.com, referring to next weekend's European grand prix.

Sauber's technical boss James Key, meanwhile, confirmed that if Perez is not fit enough for the streets of the Spanish port city, then Spaniard de la Rosa will occupy the seat.

"He did a great job for us," confirmed the Briton, referring to the 40-year-old McLaren reserve driver's race at short notice in Montreal.

Speaking to the Spanish press on Thursday, the country's motor racing president Carlos Gracia hoped de la Rosa will be in the Sauber cockpit next weekend, "without wishing ill on anyone".

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