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Perez not interested in rumours he will replace Massa

Sergio Perez has been linked to a drive at Ferrari, replacing Felipe Massa © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Felipe Massa
• |
• Sergio Perez

• Teams:
• Ferrari

Sergio Perez says he is not interested in speculation that he could replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari.

Massa struggled at the opening round of the season in Australia, qualifying 16th and eventually retiring from the race after a collision. His lack of both one-lap and race pace prompted the Italian press to name a number of possible replacements, including Perez, Adrian Sutil and Jarno Trulli.

But Perez, who is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, would not be drawn by the speculation.

"Well, it's only the first race of the season so it's very early to speculate," he said. "I'm really focused with my team, with Sauber. I think we have a great car and there's nothing more that I can say, just focused on my team, to try to make as many points as possible because we have a very competitive car and I was to trying to make the most out of the car we have.

"Melbourne was a difficult weekend for me because I had the gearbox issue so I couldn't do a lap in qualifying so I qualified last and finished eighth. So it was a good race, and hopefully this weekend we can manage a good weekend. And as for the rumours… they are only rumours."

Michael Schumacher thinks Massa, his ex-Ferrari team-mate, will overcome his problems soon.

"If I look at all the winter testing I think it was very clear that the two [Ferrari] drivers were very close together," he responded. "If you look at the optimum lap time achieved in the Barcelona tests, it's again very close. So to see the big difference that we saw in Melbourne, I can only assume there must have been something not right for him.

"He's been around for so long. He's been fighting for the championship in 2008, he's always been up front so I don't see any reason why he should not be capable of doing so in the future. I trust he will do so, and that the team will do their utmost to give him the support that he needs."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.