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McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has publically urged Sergio Perez to improve following the Chinese Grand Prix.
Since moving from Sauber to McLaren, the young Mexican has scored just two points and has struggled in comparison to teammate Jenson Button. Another difficult weekend in China saw Perez crash in free practice, and finish out of the points in 11th after being heavily criticized to the point of weaving by Kimi Raikkonen, who damaged his Lotus against the McLaren whilst trying to overtake.
“Sergio is not satisfied with his performance this weekend,” remarked Whitmarsh.
"He is a young driver and he had a difficult weekend, but he is not satisfied with himself and nor should he be,” conceded the McLaren team principal to AUTOSPORT.
"There is some pressure there and this will not go down as his best weekend of the year,” he continued.
However, Whitmarsh did not lay the blame for Perez's underperforming solely at his driver's feet and believes the team should shoulder some of the blame.
"We haven't given him a great car so far, and he is up against someone like Jenson who has done a fantastic job with the car we have given him,” he admitted.
"We, as a team, have to step up and support a young driver who has an enormous amount of talent.
Whilst publically urging his driver to up his game, Whitmarsh praised Perez's on-track behavior, which was slammed by Kimi Raikkonen after the race.
The Finn damaged the nose of his Lotus against the McLaren as the Mexican moved onto the racing line as Raikkonen tried to make a pass. Despite the 2007 world champion's comments, Whitmarsh has urged Perez to be equally as aggressive in the future.
“He needs to toughen up," said Whitmarsh. "He has been generous in allowing people past him and I think he was a bit more robust in China.”
Since moving from Sauber to McLaren, the young Mexican has scored just two points and has struggled in comparison to teammate Jenson Button. Another difficult weekend in China saw Perez crash in free practice, and finish out of the points in 11th after being heavily criticized to the point of weaving by Kimi Raikkonen, who damaged his Lotus against the McLaren whilst trying to overtake.
“Sergio is not satisfied with his performance this weekend,” remarked Whitmarsh.
"He is a young driver and he had a difficult weekend, but he is not satisfied with himself and nor should he be,” conceded the McLaren team principal to AUTOSPORT.
"There is some pressure there and this will not go down as his best weekend of the year,” he continued.
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| Sergio Perez, McLaren MP4-28. (Photo: McLaren) |
However, Whitmarsh did not lay the blame for Perez's underperforming solely at his driver's feet and believes the team should shoulder some of the blame.
"We haven't given him a great car so far, and he is up against someone like Jenson who has done a fantastic job with the car we have given him,” he admitted.
"We, as a team, have to step up and support a young driver who has an enormous amount of talent.
Whilst publically urging his driver to up his game, Whitmarsh praised Perez's on-track behavior, which was slammed by Kimi Raikkonen after the race.
The Finn damaged the nose of his Lotus against the McLaren as the Mexican moved onto the racing line as Raikkonen tried to make a pass. Despite the 2007 world champion's comments, Whitmarsh has urged Perez to be equally as aggressive in the future.
“He needs to toughen up," said Whitmarsh. "He has been generous in allowing people past him and I think he was a bit more robust in China.”