Sergio Perez says he feels “perfectly well” and expects to be back in the cockpit next weekend having missed the last two races through injury.
Perez said: “I flew home from Montreal, and back in Mexico I spent the time preparing myself for the next race and trained together with our physiotherapist.
“I feel perfectly well and I’m very much looking forward to racing in Valencia”.
Sauber are concentrating on improving their qualifying performances. Technical Director James Key said: “We will have some modifications on the car, including a slightly changed front wing and some other parts.
“We hope our performance will be back on the level we had before Canada, where we felt we didn’t perform as we wanted to in dry conditions. Also in the meantime we’ve been working hard on the balance of the car to try to ensure we can have a better level of performance in Valencia”.
2011 European Grand Prix
Image © Sauber F1 Team
UKfanatic (@)
17th June 2011, 11:59
That’s great news, certain that he will race this time, but I still feel that Pérez didnt want to race in Canada due to an psychologic issue, 3 big barrier GP in a row dont help to recover his mindset after his first normal crash in F1.
BasCB (@bascb)
17th June 2011, 12:03
Well, with part of Valencia being lined by concrete as well, he will have a good and crucial chance of overcoming that.
I hope he does, as he has been to good to lose for F1.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
17th June 2011, 12:25
There’s no evidence of that. If there was, he wouldn’t be a racing driver.
John H
17th June 2011, 12:39
No evidence, but no real explanation from Perez either hence the speculation. Let’s hope he’s back in form at Valencia.
Fixy (@)
18th June 2011, 14:00
He was said to be fit by doctors, so there was no physical issue.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
17th June 2011, 12:53
Good news. It was a little heartbreaking to see Kamui slip down the field from 2nd so any changes for the better are welcome.
Mike
17th June 2011, 15:36
That race could have been a dream come true for many drivers…
Joe Szpara
17th June 2011, 13:16
He said he felt ready to race about Canada. LOL :P
Shomir (@shomir)
17th June 2011, 13:59
Was about to say that :)
Alf
17th June 2011, 16:43
Oh damn, i’d forgotten it was Valencia next…What an antidote to the excitement of Canada.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
18th June 2011, 2:43
Good news he will be back so far he had done some good job with the team.
MattHT (@mattht)
18th June 2011, 12:35
I sense he might still be very nervous, and may possibly need a couple more races. Physical fitness and confidence two very different things.
mike h
19th June 2011, 16:45
Following a concussion the effects can be long lasting – it may be a case that whilst he passes the relevent tests – he still doesn’t feel well when exposed to the extreme forces involved in driving an F1 car.
With a concussion it’s better to be cautious to avoid potentially causing more severe permanent damage.