F1: A Big Challenge Ahead, Perez Admits

Sergio Perez is the new kid on the block at McLaren...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted January 31, 2013 Woking (UK)

Sergio Perez (Left) helps teammate Jenson Button take the wraps off the new MP4-28 on Thursday. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Sergio Perez made his first full public appearance in McLaren overalls Thursday as he helped Jenson Button take the wraps off the new MP4-28.

Since December, Perez has already spent a lot of time in the factory getting to know the team and the simulator.

“For me, this is a great day,” said the Mexican. “In fact, every day this year has been great: I’ve been working hard with my new team to get everything ready for the start of the 2013 season – and it’s been an incredible journey to get to know this incredible organization.”

Perez has no doubts about the size of the task ahead.

“Of course, I am fully aware of the steep slope ahead of me,” he said. “It has already been an intense couple of weeks, getting to grips with a new team, meeting my engineers and mechanics, learning new ways of working and, of course, learning all about a brand new car – something I’ll need to do with just six days of on-track testing. It’s a big challenge.

“But it’s definitely going to be an exciting few weeks. Although, I’ve been racing in Formula One for the past two seasons, every racing car is different and it always takes a little time to adjust. Firstly, I’ll need to understand the different characteristics of the car; secondly, I’ll learn how to best work with my engineers to make the car suit my personal driving style. It’s going to be an interesting and exciting journey.

“But I’m more prepared than I’ve ever been for the start of a new season. I feel extremely fit, focused and refreshed – there’s still a lot to do, but my aims are to feel confident, comfortable and ready to race by the time I land in Australia in just a few weeks’ time.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 28th season as a racing journalist in 2012. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.