Perez plays down rapid test times

The Mexican rookie set the fastest time of the winter so far at the Catalunya track as he beat Red Bull and Ferrari to the top spot this morning.

Asked whether that performance might change his fans' expectations, Perez replied: "For sure. People think that now I will go to Melbourne and win, but we have to be realistic. This won't happen.

"We have to just keep working and developing our car as much as possible for Melbourne and see where we are."

He still thinks there is more speed to come from both himself and the Sauber.

"For sure it always can be better, from my side and from the car," said Perez. "I don't know how much, but for sure it can be better."

Asked how he felt the car compared to the opposition, Perez replied: "I have no idea. We're just focusing on ourselves. Everybody is doing different programmes, so we'll see in Melbourne where we are."

The GP2 graduate now feels ready to get his grand prix career properly underway, despite being unable to complete a planned race simulation this afternoon due to KERS and clutch issues.

"Obviously I would like more time in the car, but it is what it is," he said. "I love to race, I like to be in a race weekend and I was getting a bit bored with testing.

"I'm looking forward to being in a race weekend and starting to learn, and starting my career in Formula 1. Once we do some grands prix, everything will change."