Following first practice for the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday, Sergio Pérez has announced that he will be taking no further part in the race weekend. Having suffered a heavy accident in Monaco, the Mexican was given the green light by medical officials, although a personal decision sees Pedro de la Rosa return to the Sauber cockpit.
In Monte Carlo just under a fortnight ago, rookie Pérez suffered concussion and a bruised thigh after crashing at the Nouvelle Chicane in the final phase of qualifying, resulting in two nights in hospital. Despite managing 27 laps and 11th place in the opening Montreal session, he felt unwell afterwards and elected not to remain on-track this weekend.
“Of course I wanted to drive and I had no doubt I was alright,” Pérez explains. “But apparently this is unfortunately not the case. I am deeply disappointed. I spoke to the team after the session and told them that I’m not a hundred percent fit. I only want to drive when I’m a hundred percent well. I need some more time to recover.”
With Sauber reserve driver and fellow Mexican Esteban Gutiérrez having not travelled to Canada due to a history exam, 2010 representative de la Rosa is drafted in on loan from McLaren.
“This development hit us by surprise because Sergio underwent thorough medical checks, first in the hospital in Monaco, then in a hospital in Zürich and, finally, the FIA doctors gave him the green light this Thursday in Montreal,” adds Team Principal Peter Sauber.
“Nobody could have foreseen that he would feel unwell. Maybe we are being overly cautious, but when it’s about the health of our drivers we take zero risks. We want to thank Pedro de la Rosa and McLaren for helping us out in this situation."
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Sauber’s Gutiérrez: I was ready to drive
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