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Perez: This is what I've been dreaming of

The new Red Bull driver is eager to make the most of his chance to drive with a top team after a disappointing campaign as a McLaren driver in 2013. Perez returns to the same venue where he was victorious in December to kickstart his 2021 season this weekend.

Sergio Perez says he has been dreaming of the opportunity to make his Red Bull debut as he prepares for the start of the 2021 Formula 1 season in Bahrain. The Mexican is taking a relaxed approach despite pressure from the team to perform, after Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon failed to impress against Verstappen in 2019 and 2020. Perez appeared to get up to speed quickly in pre-season testing, getting 166 laps under his belt and getting through Red Bull's programmes at the event. He admits there is still a lot more to learn and understand about the RB16B. "I think we prepared well as a team and I look forward to my first race with Red Bull," said Perez. "It’s going to be a process for the first couple of races, just to learn as much as possible and to get up to speed quickly, so we can be in a good position for the season. "I think the more you try to figure out what other people are doing the more lost you can get, so there isn’t a lot of point in reading into anything. We just have to wait until qualifying and see where everyone is at." Perez was on the verge of missing out on a place on the F1 grid before Red Bull handed him a lifeline at the end of the season. The confirmation of Perez's move to Red Bull came just two weeks after his maiden Formula 1 win at the Sakhir Grand Prix and he wants to make the most of his chance to add to his podium and win tally. "This is what I’ve been dreaming of, I can’t wait," added Perez. "I’m really, really excited to see some fans at the track, to finally get to race, I’m looking so much forward to it. "I’m going to approach things very relaxed and just deliver to my maximum and we’ll see where we end up."

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LATEST Red Bull reveal new Perez F1 role