Sergio Perez acknowledges there is still "work to do" in terms of qualifying, but he is confident he can improve at McLaren.
While the Mexican is no doubt one of the most exciting drivers on the grid when it comes to extracting the best from the car on race day, he lacks quite a bit when it comes to putting in flying laps on the Saturday.
With Jenson Button also rarely setting the track alight during qualifying, McLaren know it is something they will need to sort out before the 2013 season gets underway.
Perez, who claimed three podiums with Sauber last year despite never starting on the front row of the grid, believes he can be "up there" if he gets his act together.
"We have to attack qualifying a lot more and extract the maximum," he is quoted as saying by Autosport.
"I think obviously it is something to improve.
"It is not like when you go into a top car you will be in pole position. There is work to do and I am not worried by the qualifying pace, I think I can be up there.
"If I put everything in place I can maximise the potential of the car and that is the most important thing as a driver."
After spending his first two seasons with Sauber, the 22-year-old has to come to terms with a lot of new things following his move to McLaren.
However, team principal Martin Whitmarsh has been showing him the ropes.
"Even though I've not had much time with him, since the beginning he has helped me with everything, has been there for me," Perez said.
"He is a great boss. I already have a great relationship with him, a very friendly relationship. It's good to have such a relationship with your boss.
"At the end of the day we both have the same target, and that is to be World Champion."
Asked if he viewed Whitmarsh as a father figure, Perez replied: "Yeah, maybe. He is old enough to be!
"He is a good guy, I see him as a good friend. I have a lot of trust in him, so I'm very honoured, happy and lucky to have such a boss."
