Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Perez on replacing Hamilton: 'Never expected to make this move'

19:20, 14 Jan

Updated: 20:07, 14 Jan

byTobi Uiterwaal

Sergio Perez has explained how he unexpectedly ended up taking over Lewis Hamilton’s seat at McLaren, which the Mexican never expected to happen.

"I never thought I would drive for two teams: McLaren and Red Bull."

- Sergio Perez

Perez started his Formula 1 career with Sauber in 2011. The following season, he achieved his first podiums, but the Mexican was starting to get desperate.

"When you’re young you want to go to the best team to fight for the championship and suddenly the option to drive for McLaren came up," he explained on the Cracks Podcast.

McLaren said they 'built the best car in its history'

"I never thought I would drive for two teams: McLaren and Red Bull. They already have all their drivers lined up through their academy," Perez continued.

"And then McLaren suddenly came along. They were nervous because Hamilton was going to leave the team. He was going to Mercedes. McLaren was very convincing and they offered me a contract, and in the end I accepted it."

Sergio Perez during his days at Red Bull - Red Bull Contentpool

Perez was also asked why he chose to make the switch to McLaren. "They told me they had made the best car in their history. They had the front of a McLaren, the middle section of a Red Bull and the rear of a Ferrari.

"The year before I moved to McLaren, they were still fighting for the championship and the rules wouldn’t change either. It ultimately turned out to be the worst year in McLaren’s history."

In the end, Perez stayed at McLaren for only a season. He then moved to Force India, which was later taken over by Lawrence Stroll and became Racing Point.

In 2021, Perez made the switch to Red Bull Racing. This year, after a year away, the Mexican returns to the grid with Cadillac’s new team alongside Valtteri Bottas.

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