Perez makes McLaren debut

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January 9, 2013 at 1:01 pm by
61 comments

Sergio Perez, McLaren, 2013

Sergio Perez has made his first official appearance as a McLaren driver today.

Perez met members of the media at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.

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61 comments on Perez makes McLaren debut

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    Chris (@tophercheese21) said on 9th January 2013, 13:06

    I thing is for sure, this years USA GP is going to have a much larger percentage of Mexicans in the crowd now that Sergio is in a race winning seat.
    Best of luck to him!

    Reply
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      Chris (@tophercheese21) said on 9th January 2013, 13:07

      *One thing

      Reply

    • Klaas de Vries said on 9th January 2013, 13:08

      now that Sergio is in a race winning seat

      I think it’s too early to say that.

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        ajokay (@ajokay) said on 9th January 2013, 13:13

        There was the odd occasion he was in a race-winning seat last year.

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        petebaldwin (@petebaldwin) said on 9th January 2013, 13:19

        Even if McLaren create a horrible car, they will have Perez in a race-winning car by the USGP. I would be willing to bet a large amount of money on Perez winning more than one race this year.

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        • Klaas de Vries said on 9th January 2013, 15:37

          I think McLaren made it crystal clear this season that a winning car is not enough in order to win races for this team.

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            Mads (@mads) said on 9th January 2013, 16:34

            While they did mess up quite a few times, they were able to win a noticeable number of races this year. Both JB and Hamilton.
            And their pitstop problems will be largely sorted out for next year as they didn’t have too much trouble with it later in the season. Not more so then any other team..
            Whether they can have the consistency to win the championships, even with the best car, I am not too sure. But they are going to win races. It would be nearly impossible for them not to.

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      mantresx (@mantresx) said on 9th January 2013, 21:27

      There will also be a lot of Gutiérrez fans I’m sure, after all, his hometown is only a few hours drive from Austin.

      Reply
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    alexf1man (@alexf1man) said on 9th January 2013, 13:09

    Sitting on a car that crashed into Massa so many times it got predictable… I hope he at least wins a couple of races with a number of decent top 4 finishes.

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    Girts (@girts) said on 9th January 2013, 13:11

    I hope that the new McLaren is going to be VERY good, this lovely smile must be on the podium at least every other race.

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    Journeyer (@journeyer) said on 9th January 2013, 13:13

    Welcome to the big leagues, Checo. Don’t blow it. ;)

    Reply
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    Nick.UK (@nick-uk) said on 9th January 2013, 13:28

    He looks a bit odd in McLaren gear, especially as we’ve only ever seen him in Sauber’s kit. It will be a very strange sight seeing Lewis wearing the Mercedes colours!

    Reply

    • Klaas de Vries said on 9th January 2013, 15:23

      I actually think those colours suit Perez very well. The only driver imo who looked horrible in the McLaren overalls was Alonso. Yeah, me too looking forward to see Lewis in his new kit. I wonder if HAM will keep the same helmet colour.

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        Max Jacobson (@vettel1) said on 9th January 2013, 16:27

        I wonder if HAM will keep the same helmet colour

        I don’t see why he would change that now: his helmet design is based on his icon Ayrton Senna’s and is something he holds very dear to him, rather unlike Vettel with his new designs on average every two races at least!

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          PieLighter (@pielighter) said on 9th January 2013, 18:15

          @vettel1 It’s more a case of Hamilton and Rosberg will both have yellow helmets.

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            Max Jacobson (@vettel1) said on 9th January 2013, 18:28

            @pielighter – of course though the overhead cameras are coloured yellow and red to distinguish between the two. I still doubt even if we didn’t have that distinction though that Hamilton would change his helmet.

            I’d expect if anyone was to change their helmet design it’d be Rosberg!

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            Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 9th January 2013, 18:57

            @vettel1
            Why should Rosberg change his helmet? He’s been on the team first.

            And no, unlike the rumors suggest, Lewis’s helmet design has absolutely nothing to do with Senna.

            http://www.asiaone.com/Multimedia/Story/A1Multimedia20070723-844.html

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            Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 9th January 2013, 19:01

            However, regardless, I don’t care who gets the yellow helmet. However, one of them needs to change, At Spa 2011, both Michael and Nico had golden-yellowish helmets. When looking at the helmets individually, then could be set apart. However, when going at 300 KP/H it was often very hard to spot the difference.

            http://desdelapelouse.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/f1-2011-12-belgica-mercedes.jpg

            Helmets are the easiest way to distinguish drivers. Then again, I don’t care who changes, as long as one or the other does.

            However, Nico, PLEASE change those gloves man. Every time I watch his onboard, I am reminded that I still have to do the dishes.

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            Max Jacobson (@vettel1) said on 9th January 2013, 19:28

            @kingshark

            Helmets are the easiest way to distinguish drivers

            Indeed but that doesn’t necessitate that one driver changes his design. I don’t believe there is a regulation regarding clashing helmet designs. I have looked up article 21 of the sporting regulations regarding car livery and I have only found this:

            21.1 In order that the cars of each team may be easily distinguished from one another whilst they are on the track, the on board cameras located above the principle roll structure of the first car must be predominantly fluorescent red and the second car fluorescent yellow.

            21.2 Each car will carry the race number of its driver (or his replacement) as published by the FIA at the beginning of the season. This number must be clearly visible from the front of the car.

            21.3 The name or the emblem of the make of the car must appear on the front of the nose of the car and in either case be at least 25mm in its largest dimension. The name of the driver must appear on the external bodywork and be clearly legible.

            So in essence it is not essential for either driver to change their helmet design, although indeed it would help to allow us to distinguish between them!

            I agree that Rosberg shouldn’t be forced into changing his helmet design but I assume Hamilton will be taking the lead role at Mercedes and so will have first choice I presume on issues such as this.

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        mantresx (@mantresx) said on 9th January 2013, 21:35

        He will keep the same colour sure but hopefully it will look much better without that ugly Vodafone band, also what are the odds that Pérez has Telmex written on his instead??

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        electrolite (@electrolite) said on 9th January 2013, 22:43

        Rosberg’s was originally blue and a brighter yellow than Hamiltons. If they bring that back (now the Schumacher/Rosberg respective all out red/yellow has gone) then I think it’ll be easy enough to distinguish between the two.

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    andae23 (@andae23) said on 9th January 2013, 13:40

    I saw a video on Sky that showed Pérez arriving at the McLaren headquarters in a painfully orange McLaren mp4/12-whatever, hugging Whitmarsh once he got out and stuff… and now looking at the pictures it looks like he’s getting a tour of the building, looking at the amazing mp4/4 and other McLaren cars.

    I really hate that they make this into such a PR-event. Why can’t they combine the installation of their new driver with the unveiling of their car – like other teams? Or maybe take inspiration from Williams, that let Maldonado and Bottas (too be fair, not the two most sparkling characters on the grid) do games like “don’t say yes/no”. Anything’s better than this hopelessly fake event.

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    Journeyer (@journeyer) said on 9th January 2013, 13:44

    Random thought: Perez there is sitting on the front left tyre of Lewis’ 2011 car. Talk about symbolic, McLaren.

    Reply

  8. filippo vettel said on 9th January 2013, 13:45

    Perez is a top driver (Ferrari mens will regret him soon) and he’s gonna be great competitor 2013 ahead Button

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    electrolite (@electrolite) said on 9th January 2013, 14:19

    Ha! This is so weird. But exciting nonetheless.

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    Force Maikel (@force-maikel) said on 9th January 2013, 14:32

    One word: weird!

    ps: I wonder if he could use that picture with him and withmarsh on it as a nice postcard so he can sent it to Maranello

    Reply
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    Fer no.65 (@fer-no65) said on 9th January 2013, 14:33

    Who’s the blonde?

    Reply

  12. filippo vettel said on 9th January 2013, 14:39

    very nice and glorious pic with mika ayrton & alain helmet

    Reply
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    unklegsif (@unklegsif) said on 9th January 2013, 15:13

    1, He needs a bigger hat (too much hair)
    2, If he shaves his arms and gets a haircut, he’ll save a few kg on his race weight ;-)
    3, He has tiny hands compared to Martin Whitmarsh (my Mrs says she doesnt trust [cue suggestive interpretation of statement to ther anatomical areas] guys with small hands… he says mashing the keyboard with fingers the size of suasage rolls ;-)
    4, Probably Georgie T from Sky

    G

    Reply
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    OmarR-Pepper (@omarr-pepper) said on 9th January 2013, 15:15

    somebody complaining about the orange MP4-12? It’s a McLaren for goodness sake! I wish I got an old Lada on my first day at work!!!

    Reply
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    Oskar (@oskar) said on 9th January 2013, 15:39

    It´s like an empty slot for me since Hamilton´s farewell. Sure it will change with the first test in Jerez. I will pay attention.

    Reply
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