Sergio Perez says that the best drivers on the grid are being forced to leave as they don’t have a substantial financial backing to provide.
Sergio Perez is going to be replaced by Sebastian Vettel next season, but the former is still without a team, and that is why he has put forth that the factor of wealth in Formula 1 is keeping the best drivers out.
Even though Perez has a good amount of sponsorship money coming in from Mexico, he still had to bow out in front of Lance Stroll’s inherited wealth and the brand of Vettel.
“I already have some good options for 2022 so my best option is obviously to keep going on next year,” he said as per the Autosport. “But if I have to stop, then it’s not a disaster, I can come back in 2022.
“The regulations are going to change so much that, in a way, I don’t think it will hurt that much the driving side, to get up to speed. I’m at peace with myself. I think Esteban [Ocon has] mentioned that drivers like him missing out on seats, it’s just the way Formula 1 is.
“It can be really tough and not the best drivers are in Formula 1 unfortunately. So we keep pushing and we keep delivering and I think that’s the best way to do it.”
Sergio Perez in the first season of Drive To Survive reiterated these words when Ocon was withdrawn from the team to make space for Stroll as back then his father Lawrence Stroll took over the team from Vijay Mallya.
At that time, the money coming in for Perez was the saving grace for the Sakhir Grand Prix champion, but two years later, it was not sufficient enough.
Esteban Ocon backs Sergio Perez’s words
Ocon who had to remain as the reserve driver for Mercedes for a season until Renault signed him in 2019 also backed Perez’s argument over quality drivers leaving the grid.
“He’s one of the top guys out there and he can’t be left outside,” said the Frenchman, who finished behind Perez on Sunday. “It would not be normal. But sometimes the sport is like that, unfortunately, and you don’t end up in the best situations.
“On my side obviously it’s been a tough year but I was in good hands. I had a lot of people believing in me and supporting me, which has helped me to come back after a year out – and here we are. It is not easy to get going but after a bit of running, you get there.” he said.
