Apparently, Sergio Perez has told Spanish newspaper Marca that he was asked by Ferrari to “take care of Alonso” in 2012. The only English source I can find is here:
Sergio Perez has claimed that, whilst a Sauber driver, Ferrari often asked him to “take care” of Fernando Alonso.
The Mexican’s comments will ramp up speculation that the famous Italian team uses its political links in the paddock for a performance advantage.
Perez, formerly under Ferrari power at Sauber and also the cream of the Maranello marque’s driver development ‘academy’, suddenly switched allegiances for 2013 as he accepted the offer to replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.
He had been asked by Spanish sports newspaper Marca if he feels a difference when he looks in the mirror and sees world champion Sebastian Vettel, or Ferrari’s Alonso.
“In my case no,” he answered. “I make no distinction between them.
“Last year, when I was communicating with Ferrari, they often asked me to take care of Alonso, but I don’t know if they asked just me or the whole grid.”
Asked if he sees leaving the Ferrari family as a missed opportunity, the 23-year-old answered: “No, it’s an experience that led me to a better place.”
Assuming this is accurate, this isn’t the first time that a former Sauber driver has claimed that Ferrari (who have traditionally supplied engines to the team) have asked them to give one of their drivers special treatment on track. After he held up Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez 1997, former Sauber driver Norberto Fontana later claimed that he had been asked to do so by Ferrari.
