14/11/2013
NEWS STORY
Sergio Perez has admitted to being shocked by McLaren's decision to drop him in favour of Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen, revealing he only learned of the move two days ago.
"I found out a couple of days before you," he told reporters in Austin today," so it was a very late decision. I had no idea. It came as a shock to me because the team was always giving good feedback to me.
"Everything was pretty much settled down and I was going to stay with the team," he continued, "but then something happened in the last few weeks and they decided not to, so it puts me in a very difficult position now to move forward for my future."
The Mexican youngster's dumping, especially in favour of a rookie - the team's first since Lewis Hamilton in 2007 - has not gone down well with fans many feeling that Perez is paying the price of the team's own failure to provide a decent car this season. On the other hand, others feel the Woking outfit made a knee-jerk move in recruiting Perez after Hamilton's decision to jump switch to Mercedes.
"Obviously, McLaren is a great team, I have nothing bad to say about them," said Perez. "I really want to wish them the best. We have had a very difficult season all year long. It was definitely not what I was expecting and also not what McLaren was expecting, especially as when I signed for them they had such a competitive car and it's not what we have right now and we didn't have it all season long.
"It's no secret that it has been a disappointing year for both parts," he admitted. "McLaren decided to go another route, I have to find my own route and hopefully I can find the best possible seat available for my career, because I am only 23-years-old, I have a lot to give to the sport and I really hope I find a good seat."
However, the Mexican is the first to admit that though there are eight seats still to be filled, his options for 2014 are limited.
"There's no secret, it's very, very difficult right now," he said. "I know there are some options. As I said before, I want to stay in Formula One but I will no stay in F1 just to stay. If I don't find the right option for myself then I have to look at something else but I'm pretty confident something good will happen and hopefully I find a good seat.
"I think I have a lot to offer a team. I have been three years in F1, one year with McLaren. A very difficult year but I think I learn a lot. I think this year, although it has been very difficult and probably one of the worst in terms of results for myself, I think I am a good driver and I can do good things out there."
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