Perez aims for snap back in Bahrain, but race won't be easy

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Racing Point F1's Sergio Perez will start from a clean slate in Bahrain after a pointless opening salvo in Australia.

The Mexican made the Q3 cut in Melbourne but endured a laborious run in the mid-field pack on race day that failed to yield a top-ten finish.

Perez starts afresh at Sakhir, not the least bit discouraged by his fruitless weekend Down Under.

"I’m very motivated to get back to racing in Bahrain," said the Racing Point charger.

"Missing out on points in Melbourne was disappointing for me, especially after the great job we did in qualifying, but I always say that it’s not how you start season, but how you finish it.

"It’s a long year and there are twenty more opportunities to score good points."

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Bahrain holds a good memory for Perez who clinched a podium in the desert in his maiden season with Force India back in 2014.

"I think most drivers enjoy the Bahrain circuit," he added.

"The layout allows a lot of side-by-side racing and you can find few good places to overtake.

"The part I enjoy the most is sector one – it’s a nice design and if you lose a position in turn one, you can fight back immediately in the following three corners.

"I’ve had some great battles there over the years and I was on the podium in 2014, which was a special moment in my career."

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While upbeat on his prospects, the 29-year-old driver isn't expecting an effortless evening in Sakhir come Sunday.

"I don’t expect an easy race. The track is very technical and the combination of slow and fast corners makes it quite challenging.

"It can be tough on the brakes and finding your braking points is a challenge.

"There are some really big stops, especially into turn one. Some of your markers change throughout the weekend as you practice in the sun and race at night.

"The weekend will be another close fight in the middle of the grid, but I think points are achievable. It’s going to be interesting to see how much overtaking happens in the race, because it wasn’t easy in Melbourne."

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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.