Mexican youngster Sergio Perez has insisted that he expects to mount a title challenge in his debut season at McLaren.

Perez will take Lewis Hamilton's spot at McLaren next season after Hamilton decided to join Mercedes.

The 22-year-old believes that he can realistically aim to win the drivers' championship if the team iron out the reliability issues which dogged Hamilton and Jenson Button last season.

He said: "My target is to win the championship already next year. That takes a lot of work during the season, so it's very important to start my preparation really well with them and try to reach their targets.

"This year, they had many reliability issues and if they solve that they will be ready to fight for the title.

"I think what I am saying is realistic because the team is capable of putting out a very strong car. The targets have to be high. McLaren wants to win every single race."

Perez has been in Formula 1 for just two seasons but earned a drive with McLaren following an impressive spell at Sauber during 2012.