Perez wants joint effort from Ocon to push Force India

Sergio Perez says massive competition this year means Force India's drivers will need to work together to help the team hold its own.

With the likes of McLaren and Renault boosting their performance level this season, the prospect of a massive mid-field battle has emerged, suggesting Force India will need to fight harder to remain best of the rest for a third consecutive year.

The Silverstone-based outfit's drivers found themselves at odds with each other for the better part of 2017, and were ultimately forced to comply with team orders to rein in their rivalry.

• The race is on at Force India as rules of engagement are relaxed

While the rules of engagement have now been relaxed between Perez and Ocon, the Mexican insists his team mate and himself will have to work together to keep their rivals at bay.

"The good thing was how we finished last year and how we ended it working together," he told ESPN.

"That is the same approach we have to go into this year with as it is very important that we keep working together, keep working hard for the benefit of the team. Especially at this stage of the season."

"Now he [Ocon] has experience we have to push the team forward together to get the best possible result because it is going to be a massive year for Force India as there are big teams coming and big teams that are going to push us very hard.

"I believe it is going to be a hard year for us."

While Perez is expected to have the fast and consistent Ocon snapping once again at his heels, the 28-year-old sees the pressure coming from the man on the other side of the garage as a benefit.

"You never stop learning in Formula 1 and he is going to have more experience but it is always good to have a competitive team-mate next to you," he said.

"I believe that I will get better as well so it will be a hard battle but in F1 your first reference is your team-mate and I believe Esteban is a good one to have."

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