MONZA, Italy - Sergio Perez, even though ill all weekend at Monza, managed a performance that prompted podium interviewer Niki Lauda to give a rare doff of his famous cap.
Lauda said: "I take my hat off, Sergio. You did an incredible job."
The rookie's performance, his third podium of the 2012 season, - instantly breathed new life into rumours he could swap his Sauber for a Ferrari in 2013.
PEREZ IN, MASSA OUT?
Indeed, as he managed to overtake not only the endangered Felipe Massa but also Ferrari's impressive Fernando Alonso at Monza, surely he is now ready for the great Italian team.
Perez said: "I don't know."
Perez's current boss Peter Sauber was also giving nothing away when asked about the Ferrari rumours: "We'll see."
Sauber chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn added: "We will in due course announce (the drivers) for 2013. I am still relaxed, as I was months ago."
Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali added: "We cannot give any information regarding (Ferrari academy member) Sergio Perez. He drove a good race - no doubt!"
Perez told F1's official website two days earlier: "There will be a decision. And of course it is coming nearer and nearer."
Lauda said: "I take my hat off, Sergio. You did an incredible job."
The rookie's performance, his third podium of the 2012 season, - instantly breathed new life into rumours he could swap his Sauber for a Ferrari in 2013.
PEREZ IN, MASSA OUT?
Indeed, as he managed to overtake not only the endangered Felipe Massa but also Ferrari's impressive Fernando Alonso at Monza, surely he is now ready for the great Italian team.
Perez said: "I don't know."
Perez's current boss Peter Sauber was also giving nothing away when asked about the Ferrari rumours: "We'll see."
Sauber chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn added: "We will in due course announce (the drivers) for 2013. I am still relaxed, as I was months ago."
Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali added: "We cannot give any information regarding (Ferrari academy member) Sergio Perez. He drove a good race - no doubt!"
Perez told F1's official website two days earlier: "There will be a decision. And of course it is coming nearer and nearer."