Perez: Sauber will be competitive

07/01/2013

Mat Coch writes:

Sauber is a team to watch in 2013, according to its former driver Sergio Perez. With two podiums with the team in 2012, and another for teammate Kamui Kobayashi, Perez sees no reason for the Swiss squad to fare worse this season.

"Sauber will be strong again, I am convinced," he told Speed Week magazine. "The rules are fairly stable, and the Swiss team understood their car well, so why should they be worse than 2012? I even think there could be some events in which they will be capable of winning."

Perez left Sauber to replace Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, but after two seasons the 22-year-old retains a soft spot for his former team. "Sauber has done a lot for me," he said. "I would be happy for the team to do well more than any other - with the exception of McLaren, of course!"

Perez officially became a McLaren driver on January 1, the Mexican is expected to be competitive early despite his inexperience compared against new teammate Jenson Button.