FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012 file photo McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, left, of Britain, celebrates on the podium with second placed Sauber driver Sergio Perez, of Mexico, after winning the Italian Formula One GP, at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy. Formula One team McLaren has signed Mexican driver Sergio Perez for next season, part of a shakeup that is expected to see Lewis Hamilton move to Mercedes. Hamilton's switch to Mercedes is expected to be announced later Friday Sept. 28, 2012. He would replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who has also been linked to a move to Sauber to replace Perez. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
September 28, 2012 - 4:26 AM
WOKING, England - Formula One team McLaren has signed Mexican driver Sergio Perez for next season, part of a shakeup that is expected to see Lewis Hamilton move to Mercedes.
Hamilton's switch to Mercedes is expected to be announced later today.
He would replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who has also been linked to a move to Sauber to replace Perez.
Hamilton has been at McLaren throughout his F1 career but the team had been unwilling to match a lucrative offer from Mercedes, where he will team up with Nico Rosberg.
Perez signed on a "multi-year deal" with McLaren after an impressive 2012 campaign that had initially sparked interest from Ferrari.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012