Sergio Perez feels ready for title-winning team after McLaren move
Sergio Perez says he feels ready for the step up to a championship-winning team like McLaren, despite having yet to win a grand prix
The Mexican will line up alongside Jenson Button next year after Lewis Hamilton elected to leave the outfit to join Mercedes.
And although Ferrari said several times this year that it did not believe Perez was experienced enough for a top-line seat, the Mexican himself has no doubts he will do a good job from next year.
"I'm under no illusion that it is indeed a very big step - as it would be for any driver - but I'm ready for it," said Perez.
"So, while I'm still fully focused on doing my best for Sauber for the remainder of this season, I'm already massively looking forward to working with everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, and with Jenson, who's someone I've long admired as a brilliant driver and a great champion."
Perez also thanked the individuals who had helped him achieve his dreams of racing for a top team like McLaren - including current boss Peter Sauber and long-time backer Carlos Slim.
"I am, and always will be, extremely grateful to Peter [Sauber] and everybody at the Sauber Formula 1 team for their belief in me, and for giving me the chance to race in Formula 1," he said.
He added: "I'd like to thank Carlos Slim Jr, who has helped me since I was 14 years old, without whom I wouldn't be where I am today.
"Our journey together over the past eight years has been an incredible one, and I'll do everything in my power to deliver with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the results that he and I have been working so hard and so long to achieve together."
Sergio Perez gets Lewis Hamilton's McLaren seat
McLaren: Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes move won't hurt 2012 title push
Alpine’s push to wipe Gasly F1 penalty points blocked by rivals’ opportunism
Alpine’s push to wipe Gasly F1 penalty points blocked by rivals’ opportunism Alpine’s push to wipe Gasly F1 penalty points blocked by rivals’ opportunism
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season Mercedes: Not realistic to be beating Red Bull this F1 season
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
F1 qualifying results: Sergio Perez takes Saudi Arabian GP pole
F1 qualifying results: Sergio Perez takes Saudi Arabian GP pole F1 qualifying results: Sergio Perez takes Saudi Arabian GP pole
Red Bull duo say Ricciardo F1 sim input will be a boost
Red Bull duo say Ricciardo F1 sim input will be a boost Red Bull duo say Ricciardo F1 sim input will be a boost
Key out, Sanchez in as McLaren restructures F1 team
Key out, Sanchez in as McLaren restructures F1 team Key out, Sanchez in as McLaren restructures F1 team
Piastri: Becoming “more comfortable” in McLaren F1 car led to Q3 charge
Piastri: Becoming “more comfortable” in McLaren F1 car led to Q3 charge Piastri: Becoming “more comfortable” in McLaren F1 car led to Q3 charge
Why Piastri being "almost constantly a little unhappy" pre-F1 debut pleases McLaren
Why Piastri being "almost constantly a little unhappy" pre-F1 debut pleases McLaren Why Piastri being "almost constantly a little unhappy" pre-F1 debut pleases McLaren
Marquez “completely agrees” with penalty for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Marquez “completely agrees” with penalty for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash Marquez “completely agrees” with penalty for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Aleix Espargaro: Marquez should have one-race ban for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Aleix Espargaro: Marquez should have one-race ban for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash Aleix Espargaro: Marquez should have one-race ban for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Marquez escapes Oliveira Portugal MotoGP clash with minor penalty
Marquez escapes Oliveira Portugal MotoGP clash with minor penalty Marquez escapes Oliveira Portugal MotoGP clash with minor penalty
Di Grassi "underestimated" team differences with Formula E's Gen3 car
Di Grassi "underestimated" team differences with Formula E's Gen3 car Di Grassi "underestimated" team differences with Formula E's Gen3 car
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.