Sergio Pérez has been promised the same treatment as McLaren team-mate Jenson Button throughout the 2013 season, with Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh reiterating that it is not in the outfit's nature to favour one of its drivers over the other.
Having welcomed Pérez through the doors of the McLaren Technology Centre on Wednesday, Whitmarsh explained that although Button has the advantage of experience heading into the new campaign, the pair will be given equal status.
"People like to have that debate," Whitmarsh told Sky Sports in Woking. "The fact is Jenson has got the advantage in terms of he knows the team, he has the experience and he is a World Champion.
"Jenson will be very generous with his time, but when he pulls out of the garage, Jenson will want to beat Sergio and Sergio will want to beat Jenson. That is the mentality in our team. They will have equal treatment. I think that competition in the team is good."
Meanwhile, Pérez has repeated that fighting for the world title is his primary goal in 2013, the 22-year-old claiming 'this must be your target' at a team such as McLaren.
"I'm here to give everything I can, to do my very best in every single race, inside and outside of the car, and to work with this great family at McLaren," said Pérez. "When you come to McLaren, this must be your target, otherwise you shouldn't join McLaren. Everybody here is working for that goal and I'm coming here to do the same."
Pérez, who moved from Sauber to replace Mercedes-bound Lewis Hamilton, ended up tenth in the 2012 Drivers' standings with three podium finishes to his name.
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