“It is a big loss, but things change and you learn to move on and adapt.
It’s definitely not the end of two strong drivers at McLaren.”
Although Pérez has acquitted himself well at Sauber over the last two years,
the 22-year-old Mexican still remains an unknown quantity.
Pérez has conjured three superb podiums this season but his results have
otherwise been sporadic, and notably since he was announced as Hamilton’s
replacement he has failed to score a point in three races.
Assessing Pérez’s potential, Button added: “I think Sergio will be
fast, but I really don’t know.
“He’s obviously unknown in a McLaren because he’s not there yet. But it’s
a great opportunity for Checo, and I’m sure he will take it with both hands.”
Hamilton, meanwhile, insists he has no regrets about joining Mercedes, who are
currently on their worst run since returning to the sport at the start of
2010.
Like Pérez, since Hamilton announced he was moving to the Brackley-based team
on a three-year contract, they have also failed to pick up a point in the
last three races.
When you consider that in the previous 52 races Mercedes had not scored in
only four, it highlights just how much they have plumbed the depths.
Asked by Press Association Sport about Mercedes’ run, Hamilton said: “I’ve
been told about it.
“It makes me even more driven to help them score points, and no, I’m not
thinking ‘have I made right decision?’
“I’m very happy with the decision I made. What is happening to them
doesn’t have any impact on that.
“People do sometimes lose their way. Even we (McLaren) have struggled in
the past and not scored points.”
Appreciating the size of the task awaiting him at Mercedes when he officially
joins on January 1, Hamilton said: “I already knew how big it was going
to be.
“I really thought about it long and hard, and I could see how big it was.
Perhaps it’s now growing.
“But as a task I’m really excited about it, excited to meet new people
and to being in a different environment, and to mould myself into that
environment.”