Mar.1 (GMM) Sergio Perez has admitted the possibility he could be paired with Fernando Alonso next year at Ferrari.

The famous Italian team has put Felipe Massa on notice, with Mexican Perez - currently driving for Ferrari-powered Sauber - at the head of Ferrari's driver development programme.

At the same time, however, Red Bull's reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel regularly declares his desire to one day race a Ferrari.

"Ah, yes," Perez told the Spanish sports daily Marca.

So who is the real front-runner for Massa's seat?

"We will see," he insisted, "as ultimately it depends on this year, which for me is very important."

Perez, 22, admitted at least that he is a leading candidate.

"Yes, but this season is yet to even start and everything changes very fast in a year. There are many things that are yet to have been seen," he said.

"For me, Ferrari is the greatest team for which all the drivers dream of one day winning the championship but ... let's see. I would love to be there some day."

Perez acknowledged that Spaniard Alonso, Ferrari's much-loved number one, would be a difficult teammate.

"Very difficult, I would say Alonso is the most difficult on all of the grid to have as your teammate, I respect him a lot," he insisted.

Reportedly on the cusp of a top seat, Perez is nonetheless still fending off suggestions he is a 'pay driver', due to his strong backing by the Mexican sponsor Telmex.

"In these days you do depend more on your support," admitted Perez, "but I believe the talent remains the priority.

"Even with the drivers having support, I don't think there are any bad drivers on the grid.

"I was criticised a lot for coming with the Telmex money, but if you look back, a driver who wins five races in GP2 and loses the title by 10 points will normally go in F1 the next year.

"It (Telmex) is an influence, but to say it's why I'm here is not fair," he insisted.

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

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games