Oct.4 (GMM) Sauber on Monday finally confirmed long-time rumours linking the Swiss team with a major Mexican investment.

The Hinwil based outfit said GP2 driver Sergio Perez will be Kamui Kobayashi's teammate in 2011, while the 20-year-old Mexican's sponsor Telmex has signed up as a major team backer.

The telecommunications giant's billionaire boss is Carlos Slim Helu, the richest man in the world.

His son Carlos Slim Domit said: "We feel very proud to be able to consolidate these years of work for having a Mexican driver in F1 with Sauber."

Mexican teenage GP3 driver Esteban Gutierrez will be Sauber's reserve driver next year.

Said Perez: "I would like to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he's shown in me and I'll do everything I can to make the most of this wonderful opportunity."

In a media statement, Sauber said Telmex logos "will have a significant presence" on the cars from 2011.

"We are happy and proud that they are taking this step with us," said team boss and founder Peter Sauber.

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