Perez targets breakthrough win

Sergio Perez is desperate to savour his first success in Formula One, but that does not mean adopting a win-at-all-costs attitude.

In moving to a team such as McLaren, one of the most celebrated and triumphant names in the history of the sport, Perez knows just what is expected of him this season.

The 23-year-old has already made it brazenly clear he wants to become world champion this year, but to do that he first needs to take a few chequered flags along the way.

There were a couple of near-misses last season when he finished second for Sauber in Malaysia and Italy, results that brought him to the attention of McLaren.

However, ahead of this weekend's season-opening race in Australia, it has not been forgotten Perez finished last year without scoring a point in his final six grands prix - all after signing for McLaren.

So there is an obvious depth of feeling within Perez when it comes to his desire to taste success.

"As a Formula One driver you dream of winning your first race. It is something you dream about all your life," said Perez.

"I've no idea what it feels like. I have to be honest, I'm desperate for a win.

"But in Melbourne, I'll drive normally. I won't drive desperately to get my win because I need consistency, to score points.

"I know the win will come at some point, so I'm not that desperate - well, I'm very desperate to get the win - but I won't push to get it straight away and do crazy things, especially in the beginning.

"We need the points and we need the consistency throughout the year."

It is that kind of attitude that impresses managing director Jonathan Neale, and despite the 10-year gap in age and experience between Perez and team-mate Jenson Button, Perez is in no way being looked upon as an apprentice.

"He doesn't see himself as an apprentice either," said Neale.

"Sergio knows we expect him to race hard and not be content to park the car two grid places behind Jenson. It's not what we hired him for.

"If the car's capable he'd better be up the front. That's what we pay him for.

"If we give them a package in which the car can be qualified in the top three or four places then we expect wins from both of them.

"If that's the case I expect him to be trading places with Jenson from the get-go.

"When I look up at the timing screen I want to see them close. Then we know we've got each side of the garage really competing which is what we've set the system up for."