Martin Whitmarsh vows Sergio Perez will have equal status with Jenson Button

Martin Whitmarsh has promised Sergio Perez equal status alongside Jenson Button for the 2013 season, with the McLaren boss insisting that their intra-team rivalry will be a help rather than a hindrance.

Despite Perez only being 22 years of age, Whitmarsh is sure McLaren is the right place for the Mexican, having seen the team mould young drivers into World Champions in the past. "I am happy at this stage and I am excited as we are about to run the cars. He is very young, very talented and that is exciting," added Whitmarsh. "We have had the good fortune to bring young drivers through like Lewis Hamilton and Mika Hakkinen and turn them into World Champions. We don't know if that is going to happen, there is a lot of pressure on Sergio to deliver in this team, but he has impressed me so far." Whitmarsh also reiterated that there was no Lewis Hamilton 'hangover' at the team, but did leave the door open for the 2008 World Champion's return. "We are focussed on 2013 with two great drivers. Lewis was a great driver, but no-one can predict the future but at the moment. 2013 is the start of an exciting season with these two drivers." The bookmakers make Perez favourite to outscore Hamilton in 2013, but a cautious Whitmarsh added it is not a bet he would be making just yet. "Mercedes are a big team, they are a good team. If Sergio has better odds than Lewis, I'm not sure I would rush down the bookies myself. We can't predict what other teams are going to do, we can only do the best job that we can and deliver a competitive car. "We had the quickest car at the end of last year and that adds to the expectation on any McLaren driver. And I think Sergio knows that and he wants to come here and win."