Sergio Perez: 'If I get the time I will reach my own level'

Max Verstappen gets a new teammate in Sergio Perez. This Mexican is not hiding his ambition. He is sure he can make things difficult for our fellow countryman.

Perez told Motorsport.com: "I am confident in my own abilities. It might take me some time to get used to everything in this new environment. But I don't see why, if I get that time and have learned all the things I need to learn, I can't reach my own level. I have quite a lot of confidence in that."

One quality, according to Perez, could be a key difference from Verstappen. His experience. "If you already have a lot of experience under your belt and have experienced a lot of things before, then you can concentrate on things that really matter. Technically you also get better and better during your career. That can help."

Perez made his debut in 2011. The Sauber team gave him the chance to show himself. Since then, he has finished on the podium ten times. Last season he scored his first victory. The Mexican won the Sakhir Grand Prix.