Perez 'caught out' by teammate Stroll's race pace

SportPesa Racing Point's Sergio Perez admits he's been surprised by the pace delivered on race day by his teammate Lance Stroll.

Stroll took over from Esteban Ocon at the end of last year following the pink outfit's takeover by a consortium of investors led by the young Canadian's father, Lawrence Stroll.

Perez has outpaced Stroll in every single qualifying session so far this season. But on race day, the 20-year-old who started his career at Williams in 2017 has outscored the Mexican on Sundays, a feat that impresses Perez.

"I think since he came, I’ve been surprised with his race rhythm, that’s something that caught me out," Perez said, quoted by Racer.

"I seemed to have a bit more of an advantage historically to my previous team-mates, especially on race pace, and with Lance, the first time, he was up there."

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Perez sees Stroll's results as a reflection of the young charger's progress in F1.

"I think his race pace is quite good. He’s improving. I think the driver he is today to where he was when he arrived, he has improved massively, so there is a lot to come from him.

"I think he has performed quite well. He is a racer, like me, on Sundays, so he’s done a pretty good job considering the car we’ve had all the way to now."

Perez admitted his track record year-to-date was blemished by his opening lap crash in the German Grand Prix, a race his teammate finished a remarkable fourth after running as high as second.

"I started the season well, I’ve been driving pretty well, no mistakes, maximizing the potential of the car, all the way through the first part of the season," Perez explained.

"Germany, obviously, I have to take responsibility for that. That has an impact on my season until the summer break, but overall a lot of positives to take, and I expect to have a very strong second half of the season."

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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.