McLaren relaxed about Sergio Perez's Japanese Grand Prix errors

The Mexican driver was taking part in his first race since it was confirmed that he would be moving to McLaren in 2013 to replace Lewis Hamilton.

But on a day when his Sauber team-mate Kamui Kobayashi delivered a podium finish, Perez got involved in a host of incidents - before eventually crashing out at the Suzuka hairpin while battling with Hamilton.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren is under no illusions about Perez's experience levels, and knows that his outfit will need to work to get the best out of him.

"I thought it was quite keen," said Whitmarsh about the Perez moment. "I think the first [overtaking] move was quite good, the second move less good.

"So I think we have someone who wants to go out there, race and challenge, and there is a diamond that needs to be honed there. That is quite an interesting challenge."

Perez's current boss at Sauber says that it has got used to its young driver getting involved in incidents.

"He is a very emotional character, we know that, and he doesn't have so much experience," said Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn.

"So someone with his character and his side, he is part of the package you have with a young driver. You just have to live with it and make the most of it."