From GMM
Vitaly Petrov and Sergio Perez are tired of pay-driver talk. It has been said that Petrov only kept his Renault seat this year thanks to his Russian millions, while Perez has brought the backing of Mexican giant Telmex to the Sauber team in 2011.
Yet both performed spectacularly in Melbourne last weekend, with Petrov achieving his first ever podium and rookie Perez the only driver in the field to manage a one-stopper on the new Pirelli tires.
"I know why I'm in F1 and why some people call me that (a pay-driver)," Perez is quoted in a French-language AFP report. "I've always had confidence in myself but it feels good to shut the mouths of those who have not stopped telling me I'm here because I paid for my seat."
"If someone says this, I say 'Shut up! I don't want to listen to this'," added Petrov. "I don't want people to think that we are here just because of money."
As for David Coulthard, he's had enough of the flexi-wing saga.
"Anyone who complains repeatedly about something but does not lodge a protest is either scaremongering, trying to devalue someone else's achievements or has serious doubts about the solidity of their argument," said Red Bull's advisor.
He added that Red Bull's rivals "either need to copy it (the wing) - if they can - or challenge it if they think it is illegal. Put up or shut up".
Vitaly Petrov and Sergio Perez are tired of pay-driver talk. It has been said that Petrov only kept his Renault seat this year thanks to his Russian millions, while Perez has brought the backing of Mexican giant Telmex to the Sauber team in 2011.
Yet both performed spectacularly in Melbourne last weekend, with Petrov achieving his first ever podium and rookie Perez the only driver in the field to manage a one-stopper on the new Pirelli tires.
"I know why I'm in F1 and why some people call me that (a pay-driver)," Perez is quoted in a French-language AFP report. "I've always had confidence in myself but it feels good to shut the mouths of those who have not stopped telling me I'm here because I paid for my seat."
"If someone says this, I say 'Shut up! I don't want to listen to this'," added Petrov. "I don't want people to think that we are here just because of money."
As for David Coulthard, he's had enough of the flexi-wing saga.
"Anyone who complains repeatedly about something but does not lodge a protest is either scaremongering, trying to devalue someone else's achievements or has serious doubts about the solidity of their argument," said Red Bull's advisor.
He added that Red Bull's rivals "either need to copy it (the wing) - if they can - or challenge it if they think it is illegal. Put up or shut up".