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Perez would reject Ferrari move

Sergio Perez has been heavily linked with a switch to Ferrari this season © Sutton Images

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• Drivers:
• Felipe Massa
• |
• Sergio Perez

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo
• |
• Ferrari

Sergio Perez has revealed that he would reject a move to Ferrari if it wanted him to replace Felipe Massa this season.

Massa's poor performances have led to growing pressure from the team, with Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo saying "Massa must bring home the results we expect from him" ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Perez has been touted as the obvious replacement but told the official Formula One website that he doesn't want to move mid-season.

"No, not at all [nothing has changed]," Perez said. "And 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."

When pushed that there's no smoke without fire, Perez said it was just rumours that have surfaced because of his Ferrari links but that he expects Massa to recover.

"Rumours - nothing more. 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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.