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Perez keen to bed in quickly

ESPN Staff
January 11, 2013 « Red Bull to launch on February 3 | Calendar set to stay at 19 races »
Sergio Perez will only have six days of pre-season testing before the first race of the 2013 season © McLaren
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Sergio Perez says the most important aspect of pre-season will be for him "to get into the rhythm of everything automatically" at McLaren.

Having made the switch from Sauber over the winter, Perez is the first new driver to join a front-running team without the benefit of regular testing, having made his Formula One debut after the testing ban came in to effect. Perez admits that he needs to learn all of the McLaren procedures and idiosyncrasies as quickly as possible in order to allow him to get the most out of pre-season testing and the opening race in Australia.

"The most important for me is to get into the rhythm of everything automatically - the steering wheel, all the codes, understanding the set-up of the car and to develop good communication with my engineers," Perez said. "It's very important that I build my relationship with my engineers and the team so that when we go to the first test I am as familiar as possible with the team. Then when we get to Melbourne I will be well prepared, everything will be automatic and I won't have to think about so many things. The more prepared I can get, the better."

Perez admitted the car may not be fully to his liking in Melbourne as he has been unable to give the team any input as to his preferences for the MP4-28's design.

"Obviously it's difficult for me to give any input, but in the simulator while driving the team already knows me better in terms of driving style. So I think in that respect I can help a bit but if I'm honest I didn't have much input on the new car."

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