Perez: I’m ready for a top team

Sauber’s Sergio Perez says he’s ready to race for a top team in Formula One, but today insisted that he respects Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo’s restated assertion that he is still too inexperienced to join the Italian squad.

Di Montezemolo first scotched rumours of a move to Maranello for the Ferrari young driver programme member in June and despite Perez racking up a third podium finish of the season in Monza a fortnight ago, the Ferrari boss again said 2013 was too early for the Mexican to partner Fernando Alonso.

“Next season is too early," Di Montezemolo told Sky Sports News in the wake of the Italian Grand Prix. “To put a young guy to Ferrari with the pressure of Ferrari, you need more experience.”

However, as Perez began his preparations for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, he told reporters he is ready for a move to a top team.

“In respect of what Di Montezemolo said about experience, I fully respect his opinion,” he said during today’s official FIA press conference at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. “I have to know my position.

“I don’t know, because it’s only my second year in Formula One,” he added. “I feel ready to do a good job, to be in a top team, to be able to fight for the title, for the championship, so in that respect I feel ready, but I fully respect his opinion.”

Ferrari, however, may not be the only option for Perez. With Lewis Hamilton’s future at McLaren still undecided, he Mexican racer has recently been linked with a move to the British team. He insisted, however, that the rumours were nothing more than a kneejerk reaction to his good performance in Monza.

“Regarding the McLaren rumour – there are so many rumours around,” he said. “Before it was Ferrari, and now it’s McLaren. Always, when I have a good race, they put me in a different team. The most important thing is to keep doing a good job and try to maximise the car potential for the next races.”