Gutierrez replaces Perez in FP1 at Buddh
26 October, 2012
Oct.26 (Reuters) Mexican reserve Esteban Gutierrez replaced compatriot Sergio Perez in first practice at the Indian Grand Prix on Friday after Sauber reported that their regular race driver is unwell.
“Due to the fact that Perez is unwell, the Sauber F1 Team has decided to let its reserve driver Esteban Gutierrez jump into the car for the first free practice session,” Sauber said in a statement.
“This should help Sergio to a speedy recovery so that he is able to drive for the remainder of the weekend.”
A spokesman said a decision on the day’s second practice session would be made later.
Perez, who is joining McLaren next season while Gutierrez is a frontrunner to replace him in the race seat, cast some doubt on just how unwell he was, with a comment on his Twitter feed;
“Yesterday I had a fever but today I am really ready to do the weekend,” he said in Spanish. “It was a team decision.”
Gutierrez, 21, is due to test with Sauber in Abu Dhabi next month and, like 22-year-old Perez, is backed by Mexican telecoms company and team sponsor Telmex.
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Sick Perez may be replaced by Gutierrez in India
- Sauber F1 hopeful Gutierrez to test in Abu Dhabi
- Telmex backed Gutierrez next in line for Sauber race seat
- Gutierrez to carry out aero test fo Sauber
- Sauber won’t rush Gutierrez into F1 seat
