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From GMM
Telmex will continue to sponsor Sauber, despite the Swiss team losing Mexican Sergio Perez to McLaren.
Perez made his debut with the Hinwil based team last year with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's backing, primarily through the telcom Telmex's branding.
So the 22-year-old's switch to McLaren for 2013 had triggered rumours the British team also wanted Telmex to replace its reportedly flagging title sponsor Vodafone.
But Telmex is staying with Sauber, chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn announced on Friday, sparking immediate rumours the brand might push for its other Mexican charge - 21-year-old Esteban Gutierrez - to replace Perez.
Referring to Perez's switch, Kaltenborn said at Suzuka: "We were informed by Telmex about this change and Telmex also told us that they have a long-term project with Sauber which will not be affected by Sergio leaving the team."
Sauber's other driver, Kamui Kobayashi, admitted on Thursday that his future is unclear at present.
"I have no idea," said the Japanese when asked about his future.
UPDATE
Monisha Kaltenborn on Friday did not categorically deny suggestions Sauber might replace Sergio Perez with another Mexican.
Telmex also backs Sauber's reserve driver, youngster Esteban Gutierrez.
"He's been with the team a long time," said Kaltenborn when asked about the Gutierrez rumours, "and whatever we do with him is something totally independent from Sergio's leaving and we don't really want to mix them together. We'll announce whatever we have to in due course."
Monisha Kaltenborn did admit, however, that Sauber might lose some Mexican sponsors as the result of Perez's departure.
"It's a natural link there, obviously, because they are from the same country, but it is not just that simple that because one driver leaves us all these sponsors will leave," she said.
Telmex will continue to sponsor Sauber, despite the Swiss team losing Mexican Sergio Perez to McLaren.
Perez made his debut with the Hinwil based team last year with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's backing, primarily through the telcom Telmex's branding.
So the 22-year-old's switch to McLaren for 2013 had triggered rumours the British team also wanted Telmex to replace its reportedly flagging title sponsor Vodafone.
But Telmex is staying with Sauber, chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn announced on Friday, sparking immediate rumours the brand might push for its other Mexican charge - 21-year-old Esteban Gutierrez - to replace Perez.
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| Photo: Sauber F1 Team |
Referring to Perez's switch, Kaltenborn said at Suzuka: "We were informed by Telmex about this change and Telmex also told us that they have a long-term project with Sauber which will not be affected by Sergio leaving the team."
Sauber's other driver, Kamui Kobayashi, admitted on Thursday that his future is unclear at present.
"I have no idea," said the Japanese when asked about his future.
UPDATE
Monisha Kaltenborn on Friday did not categorically deny suggestions Sauber might replace Sergio Perez with another Mexican.
Telmex also backs Sauber's reserve driver, youngster Esteban Gutierrez.
"He's been with the team a long time," said Kaltenborn when asked about the Gutierrez rumours, "and whatever we do with him is something totally independent from Sergio's leaving and we don't really want to mix them together. We'll announce whatever we have to in due course."
Monisha Kaltenborn did admit, however, that Sauber might lose some Mexican sponsors as the result of Perez's departure.
"It's a natural link there, obviously, because they are from the same country, but it is not just that simple that because one driver leaves us all these sponsors will leave," she said.