Sergio Pérez has admitted he has his work cut-out if he’s to fill the shoes left by Lewis Hamilton when the 22-year-old Mexican takes the 2008 champions place at McLaren in 2013.
Speaking in the FIA press conference on Thursday, with Hamilton to his right and future team-mate Jenson Button to his left, Pérez praised Mercedes-bound Hamilton before insisting he’ll give his all to deliver for McLaren after being given such an opportunity.
“I rate Lewis as one of the fastest drivers on the grid, so it won’t be easy at all,” said the Sauber driver. “I know I have very big shoes to fill, so it will be difficult, but I will give everything I can. I will work as hard as possible to give the best result and to win championships with this great team.
“I think with McLaren there is no other option [than to win],” he added. “You have to win every race. You have a car with which you can win every race. It’s a guarantee: McLaren is always a guarantee. So I have to work very hard. I have to give everything to my team and I’m ready to do that, once I have finished this season.”
Button, when asked, said Pérez had earned a place with a top team following his performances this season which have seen him on the podium three times so far.
“He’s let his driving do the talking and he’s had some very good performances over the last couple of years,” said the 2009 champion. “That’s the reason he’s got the drive he has at the moment and why he’s got the drive he has for next year.”
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