Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said today that he has no regrets about losing Sergio Perez to McLaren.
The Mexican is a member of Ferrari’s Driver Academy and had been tipped for a future at Maranello, despite Luca di Montezemolo recently claiming that he was not ready yet.
“I mean he had this opportunity, and I think that what we wish to him is the best for his future,” said Domenicali. “I think that he received this offer or he discussed this offer with a very important team and I think that first of all we didn’t have any right to block him or to say something in that respect, because he was a driver who is working for the Sauber team.
“As I said, I think that Ferrari gave him a bit of experience by helping him in understanding something, and that’s the way it is. We need to accept that and we will see. We are working with other young drivers that we hope we will be able to bring in our team as they will be considered ready, so that’s what I can say.”
He said there was no news on who will drive alongside Fernando Alonso next year.
“I think to go ahead with this kind of speculation I don’t think it’s so relevant or interesting. As we said very soon we will tell you what is the situation and up until the moment I have news on that I will stay quiet. Also, I would start to be very boring in giving the same answer to the same question.”
Meanwhile he also paid tribute to Michael Schumacher, who won five of his championships with the Italian team.
“He’s a seven time World Champion, but he’s still one of the top drivers in the field and as a friend of his, I’m very happy for the decision that he takes because I think that in his experience he’s come to this conclusion, and I think that considering the situation it’s the best for him. We all wish – not only from my personal side, but from all the Ferrari family – the best for his future. He’s still young, so he will do a lot of things for sure.”
Adam Cooper F1 
“What we wish to him is the best for his future” – mean, McLaren is the best then?