Martin Whitmarsh delighted to see Pérez stay in F1

Sergio Pérez and Nico Hulkenberg at Force India in 2014? In any case, this is the rumor that has been circulating since yesterday in the Interlagos paddock since Martin Whitmarsh revealed that the Mexican would be present in F1 next year. Speculation is converging towards Checo leaving for Force India, although Vijay Mallya recently indicated that he is in no hurry to reveal his crew for the next season.

" I am very happy. There have been a lot of things written, but he is a young man who has remained incredibly dignified.", confided Martin Whitmarsh after the Brazilian Grand Prix where the Mexican ended his career with McLaren by signing a sixth place. “This job is fantastic but it can be painful at times. The hardest part is picking up the phone and saying, “I’ve decided that…”. He took it very well. He's well-liked on the team, he's a lovely guy, and I said to him, 'Prove us wrong.' "We did our best to help him because he clearly deserves to be in F1 as he showed in this race. He's an exciting driver even if it was said at the start of the season that he was a little too excited. But I think F1 can accommodate a young driver who is ready to attack and take a bit of risk in the peloton. »

However, the prospect of seeing a crew made up of Sergio Pérez and Nico Hülkenberg would clearly work against Paul di Resta. Adrian Sutil having been very confident about his future in F1, it is the Scot's future which is called into question. The latter could join the DTM which he won in 2010 or in IndyCar to replace his cousin Dario Franchitti. “I’m obviously sad (for his situation)”, added the McLaren Team Principal. “It's a complicated sport these days and there will be drivers less talented than Paul who will be in this sport, whether they make it or whether they stay, and that is sad. It has not yet been announced, but his departure is highly probable. »

Discover the analysis of the Brazilian Grand Prix carried out by our special correspondents in issue 1937 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.