Sauber have announced that Mexican driver Sergio Perez will partner Kamui Kobayashi in their team for the 2011 Formula One season.
Young Mexican named alongside Kobayashi for 2011
Sauber have announced that Mexican driver Sergio Perez will partner Kamui Kobayashi in their team for the 2011 Formula One season.
Perez, 20, finished second in this year's GP2 Series and won four races, which included the prestigious Monaco race.
Sauber are also entering into a partnership with the Mexican company Telmex, and Perez has been a member of Escuderia Telmex, who back various drivers, for many years.
"Formula 1 is the dream of every young racing driver," said Perez. "And now this dream is about to come true for me.
"Although I'm very much aware that this is also a big challenge and responsibility, I'm happy to accept that and am proud to be representing my country in the highest category of motor racing.
"I would like to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he's shown in me and I'll do everything I can to make the most of this wonderful opportunity."
Team owner Sauber added: "Sergio has been on a continuous upward curve over the past few years. He demonstrated his fighting spirit in races over the course of last season and proved that he's ready to take the step up into Formula 1.
"I look forward to working with him and am in no doubt that, in Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi, we will have a strong driver pairing."
The news will come as a blow to Nick Heidfeld, who was expected by some to retain the seat after the German was called up as a replacement for Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa for the final five races of this year.
