Perez to stay loyal to Sauber

Sergio Perez has categorically stated that he will not leave Sauber before the end of season.

The Mexican driver has been heavily linked with a move to Ferrari for the 2013 season, while some reports in the paddock even suggested that he might make the switch between Sauber and Ferrari before the end of this season.

Felipe Massa has taken just two points thus far this season and has come under increasing pressure from Ferrari bosses to perform, leading some to suggest that the Brazilian could be dropped before the end of his contract which expires at the end of the season.

Meanwhile Perez, who has a history with Ferrari after coming through their young driver programme has been tipped to replace him, however when asked by formula1.com about the possibility of switching to Ferrari mid season Perez said: 'should that situation really come about I would reject it as I would not want to make a switch in the middle of a season. I think all this hype about a possible switch is massively blown up by the media.'

Not only did Perez play down the rumours, he also backed Felipe Massa to turn around his so far poor 2012 Formula One season.

'I believe that Felipe will bounce back and do a good job. He is a strong driver and he has a great team behind him. Once he’s bounced back all these stories will die at once.'

'I think that people should not mix up engines and drivers. These sort of rumours have been around for quite a while and, of course, I have a connection to Ferrari, to their driver academy of Ferrari. But my position is clear: I am driving for Sauber and I will remain here.

'I started the season with Sauber and will finish my season with Sauber - giving my 100 percent to my team.'

The 22-year-old Mexican has impressed since day one last year, but his crowning moment was the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier this season, where Perez had a legitimate chance to win the race, but was eventually and ironically beaten by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

It was the first time a Mexican driver had stood on the podium in 40 years and some in the paddock have even compared his performance to that of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna.