Force India praises ‘relaxed’ Perez

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley praises Sergio Perez after he picked up a third consecutive top-10 finish at Singapore, and thinks the Mexican is coming of age.

On the back of two strong performances at Spa and Monza, Perez delivered another fine race from 12th on the grid, fending off a late challenge from the charging Toro Rossos to secure P7 at the flag.

Having now scored eight times out of 13 events, the 25-year-old is showing the sort of consistency McLaren said was lacking in Perez during his brief Woking spell.

“Checo [Sergio Perez] had a great race,” Fernley told F1i. “He did everything right. He did a super job at defending [in the closing stages].

“You’re seeing him now relaxed. The Checo that we know, that is capable of some very, very strong races and good pace, he’s coming out.”

• Hulkenberg frustrated with grid penalty

Coinciding with Perez’ impressive run, team-mate Nico Hulkenberg has been going through a rough patch. This was typified by a clash with Felipe Massa on Lap 13, when the Williams exited the pits and tangled with the German at Turn 3, which speared the hapless VJM08 into the barriers and retirement.

After investigation, stewards ruled that Hulkenberg was at fault and served him with a three-place grid penalty for next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

“The Nico/Massa incident for me was really a racing incident,” added Fernley. “Two drivers, neither of them was giving any quarter, and the consequences were obvious of what was going to happen. It was hard, hard racing, and they both ended up paying the penalty.

“I though [the three-place drop] was a harsh decision personally. Massa obviously locked up his brakes coming out so he knew he was too deep in. But Nico maybe should have given him more room.”

REPORT: Vettel takes third win as Hamilton retires in Singapore

AS IT HAPPENED: 2015 Singapore Grand Prix

Click here for some of the most memorable crashes at Singapore

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