Did McLaren Jump the Gun with Pérez?

Jenson + Whitmarsh on Sky yesterday = embarrassing. Plenty of back patting, nose rubbing makes you want to puke. They were talking about Perez as if he didn't have a voice.
 
Whitmarsh actually lay the blame 50-50 on both drivers, with Button backing down, at least a little, from his immediate post-race rant when shown the footage on a monitor alongside Whitmarsh.
And Hamilton actually said Martin Whitmarsh 'phoned him to say he's welcome in the McLaren garage any time he likes, after reports emerged of a McLaren emplyee throwing Hamilton out of the mcLaren garage during winter testing. Hamilton said he had 'much love' for Whitmarsh. (sorry for going off topic)
 
I think it's too soon to decide either way. Perez has had one decent race but the other 3 have been decidedly mediocre. Perhaps we should wait until the end of the season. But then that wouldn't be much fun or allow any baiting now would it?
 
Perez I don't think has made top 10 shoot out right ? or did he in Malaysia

So he had the luxury of fresher tyres to make places up

Perez' best results were based on him not getting into Q3
- there are still murmurs if he was signed because of the sponsors

so we will see what happens next few races then
 
Not really. His talent seemed to have made tyres work at Sauber - and endless cash, of course - not a stellar performance this year, nor a very engaging chap.
 
I don't think he's done a bad job, he had a shaky start and he's only very rarely beaten Button but there's not really any shame in that. It's also much harder to shine in a car that can't get anywhere near the podium. It would be a bit of an egg on face moment for McLaren to boot him out after just one year and Perez brings with him some nice financial perks, so I personally think Perez has done more than enough to stay for a second season.

Do I think he was McLaren's best option though? No. I have been backing Hulkenberg for every major seat that has become available over the past couple of seasons (McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari) and I stand by that.
 
Last edited:
Well considering how bad the car has been this season, you can't really fault this season. On occasions he's beat Button and with Button struggling too with 12 years behind him in F1, what you expect from a guy who only has 2 behind him. I think he's been slightly aggressive at times but sometimes that's more to do with the car and not the driver. I think he's worth a second season and hopefully the car is decent next season to show us just what he's capable of :).
 
Jenson Button is not renowned to be a 1 lap specialist so Perez should at least match him there or beat him

Normally with top teams they expect mid season for the new driver to be on par with the incumbent

Probably for Perez is he's done poorly when Button has had better races at the same time

Does he deserve a 2nd season overall depends on the level of expectancy the team was hoping for
 
Back
Top Bottom