Perez all but confirms Gutierrez at Sauber

© Sauber Motorsport AG

Esteban Gutierrez has all but been confirmed as Nico Hulkenberg's team-mate at Sauber for 2013 after soon to be ex-driver Sergio Perez mistakenly confirmed it.

Perez, who is off to McLaren next year, told reporters in the Brazilian paddock that Sauber would do well next year, before letting slip that Gutierrez would partner Hulkenberg.

"The car will be strong because the rules don't change much, and the team have a good experienced driver in Nico and he will have a strong team-mate in Esteban," he said.

When pushed if that confirmed the team's line-up, which is supposed to be officially announced this weekend, he added whilst smiling broadly: "We are waiting for the announcement."

The mistake confirms what many believe to be the Swiss outfit's plans after confirmation that they would retain Telemex sponsorship in 2013. The Mexican company backs both Perez and Gutierrez.

Kamui Kobayashi also looks unlikely to find a seat after tweeting a link to a website with the aim of raising funds.

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