Pérez will aim for the title with McLaren in 2013

Following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Mercedes next season, the McLaren team has decided to sign Sergio Pérez, who is driving for the Sauber team this year. The Mexican driver, with three podiums this season, intends to take a step up with the Woking team.

Pérez hopes to be able to fight for victory regularly and thus compete for the title in his first year with a top team, as he told journalists in Abu Dhabi, quoted by the official Formula 1 website: « First of all, the most important step for a young driver is to join a leading team to show if you are capable of winning. This question will be answered next year as far as I’m concerned. In 2013, I will have the chance to be with the best team in Formula 1 and my goal is to win the championship – next year. »

In 2013, Pérez will team up with Jenson Button for what will be the 14th Formula 1 season, compared to only the third for the Mexican. He therefore hopes to learn a lot from his illustrious teammate: “I think if you have been in Formula 1 for so long, it means something. He is a quick teammate – he is one of the best drivers in the world and it’s nice to have a former world champion by your side. He is a proven driver, whereas I am not, so hopefully I can learn a lot from him. The goal, of course, is to beat him (laughs). How things will really be, time will tell.”

Replacing Lewis Hamilton is not an easy task, but the native of Guadalajara is not daunted and hopes to quickly adapt to his new environment: « I hold Lewis in high regard – he is one of the fastest in Formula 1 right now – and obviously, it won’t be easy to try to follow in his footsteps. But I am confident and I will do everything I can to get used to it as soon as possible, because this is the opportunity I’ve always wanted. I will do my best and I think everything will go very well. »