Pedro de la Rosa replaces Sauber’s Sergio Perez for the Canadian Grand Prix – Formula 1 news
Sauber’s Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez will once again have to watch the race from the paddock as he felt unwell in the first practice session of the Canadian Grand Prix of the 2011 Formula 1 season.
McLaren’s test driver Pedro de la Rosa was called up by Sauber at the last minute and he will drive the Sauber car on the Montreal track this weekend.
McLaren and race stewards agreed to Sauber’s request for a test driver and with mutual decision, Rosa was freed to drive the Sauber car in the second free practice session.
Sauber’s team boss, Peter Sauber thanked the McLaren team for allowing Rosa and explained the situation with Perez.
“We want to thank Pedro de la Rosa and McLaren for helping us out in this situation. Sergio underwent thorough medical checks, first in the hospital in Monaco, then in a hospital in Zurich, and finally, the FIA doctors gave him the green light this Thursday.
Nobody could have foreseen that he would feel unwell,” commented Sauber.
He added that the team cares about Perez but did not want to compromise the safety of their drivers.
Perez also commented on his current condition and said, “Of course I wanted to drive and I had no doubt I was alright, but apparently this is unfortunately not the case.”
He added that he would have loved to race in Montreal but he was not hundred percent fit to deliver for which he had to opt out.
Perez crashed two weeks ago in Monaco when, on exiting the tunnel, he crashed in to the barriers. He escaped major injuries and was treated for concussion and a bruised thigh. He was declared fit by the Formula 1 medical staff but after the first practice
session illness of the Mexican, Perez would have to wait a little longer to get into the car.
Perez will be hoping to get fit for the European Grand Prix of the 2011 season which is due to be held on June 26, 2011.
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