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Perez confident Force India can overhaul Renault

Despite his team's opinion to the contrary, Force India's Sergio Perez believes the Silverstone-based outfit can still beat Renault to the honorary title of 'best of the rest'.

Force India's Bob Fernley reckoned the pink squad's double-DNF last weekend in France coupled with Renault's double points finish and current performance level had perhaps thwarted the team's ambition of holding its own this year as the fourth best outfit in the field behind F1's three unassailable front-runners.

Perez begs to differ however with his team manager and remains confident Force India can prevail, if progress is sustained.

"I don’t think it’s unrealistic to think we can still beat Renault,” said the Mexican driver.

"I think if we improve in the next couple of races a bit more, the margin is not that far at the moment.

Ocon: 'F1 wouldn't be the same without Force India'

"Its clear that they have been the most consistent and probably the benchmark right now in the midfield.

"But I don’t think they are too far ahead. If we are able to speed up our rate of progress I think we can get them still. It’s a long season ahead.

"They’ve been the most consistent team but they are not in another league," he added.

"They are quite reachable. It’s just a matter of us speeding up a bit the upgrades and then we can be in the fight again.

"I think having a good two races for the team will change the history. It would close the gap. I think the gap is not too big at the moment."

Perez immediate focus is on improving Force India's VJM11 after its recent period of development stagnation.

"I’m more concerned about improving the car, being able to bring the upgrades we need as soon as possible, because for a while we kind of got stuck," he explained.

"We were developing the car and then we got stuck, while people just kept improving their cars.

"But the gaps are not big, so whatever you can do from one race to another, it can change the story of the midfield."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.