Sauber wants Gutierrez to match Hulkenberg

Peter Sauber has declared himself happy with 2013 team racer Esteban Gutierrez, following the Mexican rookie’s first test of the pre-season at Jerez.

"Last year we were not entirely satisfied with his performance in GP2," the Swiss team’s founder, co-owner and former boss told Motorsport Aktuell.

"Sometimes we were even disappointed, so we didn’t know exactly what we could expect from him," added Sauber.

21-year-old Gutierrez, third in last year’s GP2 standings, has replaced the McLaren-bound Sergio Perez, ostensibly to keep major team backer Telmex happy.

So what is Sauber expecting from the youngster?

"I would prefer, of course, if he could go at Hulkenberg’s level right from the beginning," said Peter Sauber.