McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh, meanwhile, paid tribute to the
outgoing Hamilton, who has been on McLaren’s books since the age of
13. “It’s entirely appropriate that I should take this opportunity to
pass on our thanks to Lewis [Hamilton],” he said. “He wrote a huge chapter
of his life and career with us, and was, and always will be, a fine member
of an exclusive club: the McLaren world champions’ club.
“It goes without saying that we all wish him well for the future, just as
it also goes without saying that we hope and believe that Sergio, too, will
become a member of that exclusive club before too long.”
Perez said he was thrilled to be joining McLaren, and hinted that his Mexican
backers Telmex would continue to back him at the Woking team, who may soon
be looking for a new title sponsor if Vodafone’s rumoured departure is
confirmed.
“I’m thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver,”
Perez said. “The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of
Formula One. For more than 40 years McLaren has been a team that every
racing driver has aspired to drive for – I was brought up on the great
stories of Ayrton Senna’s many world championship triumphs for McLaren – and
I’m truly honoured that they’ve chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013
onwards.
“I’ve spent the 2012 season working very hard to demonstrate my potential,
but I’ve always remained humble and focused. I am, and always will be,
extremely grateful to Peter [Sauber] and everybody at the Sauber Formula One
team for their belief in me, and for giving me the chance to race in Formula
One.
“In fact, they gave me the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what I can
do – and I’m now equally grateful to Martin [Whitmarsh] and everyone
at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for giving me the chance to take this next very
big step in my career.
“I’m under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step – as it would be
for any driver – but I’m ready for it. So, while I’m still fully focused
on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I’m already
massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes, and with Jenson, who’s someone I’ve long admired as a
brilliant driver and a great champion.
“I’d like to thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years
old, without whom I wouldn’t be where I am today. Our journey together over
the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I’ll do everything in
my power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I
have been working so hard and so long to achieve together.
“As I say, I’ve worked very hard to get to this stage in my career, and
I’m now massively looking forward to this next even more exciting stage.
It’s fantastic that all the sacrifices I’ve made are now paying off. For
example, I remember very clearly the first day I left my family, when I was
15, to live in Germany to race in Formula BMW. It was tough for me – I was
sleeping in a restaurant at that time – but the dream of one day becoming a
Formula One driver kept me going through those difficult days.
“Finally, I’d like to thank my beloved family, who’ve encouraged me at every
turn, and last but far from least the people of Mexico, my home country,
whose magnificent support I’ll do my very best to reward with future
successes with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”