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Force India was first choice - Perez

ESPN Staff
January 10, 2014 « Irvine sentenced to six months for nightclub brawl | Button opts for No.22 »
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Sergio Perez says driving for Force India was his first choice after he found out he was leaving McLaren towards the end of last season.

Perez will team up with Nico Hulkenberg at Force India this year after a single lacklustre season at McLaren. He was not aware of McLaren's plans to replace him until quite late in 2013, but despite Lotus and Sauber having vacancies, he had his heart set on Force India.

"When it was confirmed that I was leaving McLaren, Sahara Force India was always my first option," he told the official Formula One website. "It is a very good team and in the same way as me, it is hungry for success.

"The discussions with Sahara Force India started around the time of the race in Austin. I attended a couple of meetings and held several telephone conferences before everything came to a positive agreement."

Perez does not regret his time at McLaren but believes he has not yet shown his full potential in F1.

"It has been a very important learning path in my career. I don't regret anything: McLaren is a great team and I will always respect them. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the season did not go as expected and we ended up without a podium. The situation I am in now is different, but it's also exciting. I do not see myself as in a 'holding pattern' and this is part of my journey in Formula One. I strongly believe that my success is yet to be seen."

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