F1: Perez A Boost For Austin Race Says Hellmund

Formula 1

F1: Perez A Boost For Austin Race Says Hellmund

Austin, Texas, track promoter Tavo Hellmund expects the presence of Mexican Sergio Perez to increase interest in the United States GP...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted October 08, 2010 Suzuka (JPN)

Sergio Perez will compete for Sauber next season in Formula One. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Austin F1 promoter Tavo Hellmund says that having Sergio Perez on the F1 grid next year will be a boost during the build-up to the following year’s United States Grand Prix.

Perez, who is backed by billionaire Carlos Slim, will be the first Mexican F1 driver since the early '80s.

Hellmund anticipates that his presence will attract fans from across the border.

“I have followed Sergio’s career closely and have been impressed by his work ethic and his ability to win at every level,” said Hellmund. “I am ecstatic that he will be a Formula One driver next year and I congratulate Sergio on this great accomplishment. I look forward to following his career at the highest level of motorsports and assisting in any way possible.

“I spoke with both Carlos and Sergio and we all agree that the 2012 Formula One United States Grand Prix will be like a home race for Sergio. In 2011, we will have a driver for the Americas with Sergio and in 2012 we will have the Grand Prix of the Americas with the United States Grand Prix. We all look forward to working together to maximize this wonderful opportunity.”

US GP promoter Tavo Hellmund (Pictured) calls in to discuss the return of Formula One to the United States with SPEED's Bob Varsha. (Image: SPEED)

In other Perez-related news, the 20-year-old driver has been signed up for the Ferrari Driver Academy, having been already been announced as a Sauber driver for next year.

He will, of course, be using Ferrari power at Sauber next year and it seems that the Italian team will in essence contribute to his education in the coming months.

FDA members – including GP2 driver Jules Bianchi – have received various perks from the team, including testing in a 2008 F1 car that allows them to build up some F1 mileage.

The news also suggests that Ferrari has its eye on Perez as a long-term prospect.

Adam Cooper notched up his 25th season as a racing journalist in 2009. Born in London, England, he saw his first F1 race at age 10 in 1976. He began freelancing for Autosport magazine in 1985 and was on the fulltime staff from 1987-92. He then went freelance again, initially spending two years in Japan before following the 1994 Champcar series from a base in Indianapolis. He has not missed a Grand Prix since Suzuka ‘94, a run that has extended to Abu Dhabi ’09. Adam has written books about Eddie Irvine, Piers Courage and Michael Schumacher and hosts a race preview show on Sirius XM. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Check out Adam's Blog or follow him on Twitter

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