Red Bull Perez's "big opportunity" he needs to 'grab with both hands'

Sergio Perez has described securing a drive with Red Bull as his "big opportunity" after spending the majority of his Formula 1 career in the midfield.

Perez is the first driver to be hired from outside the Red Bull young driver programme since Mark Webber joined the team from Williams in 2007.

The Mexican, who spent the past seven years at Racing Point, previously known as Force India until partway through the 2018 season, believes last year's RP20 finally allowed him to showcase his abilities.

“I’m proud of that but I’m also very proud of all of the years that I have had," he told the Talking Bull podcast.

"Although you cannot see the big picture because I was finishing top 10, seventh in the championship or so, but there were great years.

“I was delivering massively. I was working very hard year after year, not giving up, always pushing to the maximum and finally I had a car that I was able to show a bit more and then people saw what I am capable of.

“But now this is my big opportunity. I do have to go onto the next level, onto the next step in all aspects and I think I am ready for it.

“The only thing I was lacking was the opportunity. Now I have it, it’s up to me to make it work.”

Perez joined the F1 grid with Sauber in 2011 and was picked up by McLaren in 2013 as the replacement for Mercedes-bound Lewis Hamilton.

Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, the move came as McLaren's results began to dip, and after just one year the Mexican moved to Force India.

“I got an opportunity with a top team at McLaren but things didn’t work out," assessed Perez.

"I spent seven years at what is now Aston Martin so they were like a big family. We became very close together and now that I am in Red Bull in a new team, it is something that is like 'Wow!'.

“It’s a lot of people to meet, a lot of things to share. It’s just the kind of opportunity that I’ve worked so hard, for more than 15 years, to have it.

"I think it came at the right time and I’m sure that I will grab it with both hands and I’m ready for it.”

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