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I've learned from mistakes in GP2 - Gutierrez

ESPN Staff
December 13, 2012 « Ferrari urged to push 'some limits' by Alonso | Hamilton will surpise Rosberg - Button »
Esteban Gutierrez: "I am totally aware that competition in Formula One is not easy" © Sutton Images
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Sauber's 2013 race driver Esteban Gutierrez says he has learned from his mistakes in GP2 this year and is determined to be more consistent in Formula One.

Gutierrez won two races in F1's feeder series this year but was prone to errors and finished the season a distant third behind Luiz Razia and champion Davide Valsecchi. Sauber has admitted taking on a rookie alongside Nico Hulkenberg - another new arrival to the team - is a risk, but Gutierrez has vowed to be more consistent when he reaches F1.

"I am totally aware that competition in Formula One is not easy," he said, "of course, it is the top level of motorsport. In GP2 it's true that I didn't reach a consistency, but I rate it as the most rewarding season of my career because to have this kind of experience gives you a different perspective for what you input into the future.

"So I'm going to try and establish that in Formula One and look for consistency in Formula One and then when you reach this consistency you want to look to the top results. First of all it has to be step by step and adapting in the beginning will be very important."

Gutierrez has said he does not know if he is ready for F1, but he insists he will do everything he can to prepare himself ahead of the new season.

"It doesn't make sense to say that I'm 100% ready because it's difficult right now to judge how ready I am," he added. "But definitely I'm doing my best and I've been using all the time I've had on the track to improve my knowledge of the car and not only the driving itself but also the feedback I can give to the team. I know that's a key factor in Formula One as there is a lot of development from the team."

He is also looking forward to seeing how he stacks up against Hulkenberg, who joins the team after a strong season with Force India.

"Nico is a very experienced driver and, knowing that he will be my team-mate, it is great to have a good reference," he said. "As a team it is important to have experience and with all this tendency that the team is having towards improvement, it's important to have Nico there. From my point of view as a rookie I am going to try and push very realistically and at the same time adapt myself with a very good reference. Then, of course, we will try to push the team together."

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