Impressive Perez keeping expectations in check

©RacingPoint

Racing Point's Sergio Perez concluded his opening day at the Austrian Grand Prix right behind the leading Mercedes squad, but the Mexican isn't getting over-excited by the achievement.

Perez clocked in 0.641s behind pace-setter Lewis Hamilton, leading a midfield that was as tight as ever, with just three tenths of a second separating P3 from P10.

Lance Stroll's sixth place in the pecking order confirmed the team's opening form. Yet Perez isn't getting carried away about his prospects.

2020 Austrian Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

"It's been a good day," he said. "I think the margins are really close, everything is extremely close, but it's a very small track.

"I think tomorrow it will be very important to put it together, and we'll see where we really are. We have an idea, but tomorrow is when everyone puts everything together, and it will be good to see us up there."

"We were a good half a second away, and in such a small track, the Ferraris, the Red Bulls, the Renaults, the McLarens, are within a tenth from us, so it's not like we can get too excited.

"The margins are extremely close, so hopefully tomorrow we can put a great lap together in qualy."

Despite his cautious stance, Perez acknowledged the solid step forward achieved by Racing Point relative to F1's top three teams, thanks to its controversial "pink Mercedes".

"We have to take it step by step really, but I think we certainly have closed the gap to the top teams," he assured.

" I think last year we started really on the back foot, I think right now we are ready to start, ready to fight.

"I think it's a great car, in the factory the team has done a tremendous job and we have a car underneath us that is working well.

"So just make them proud and hopefully give them a great result this weekend, but it's still a lot of work, a lot of things that we've got to improve, to make sure that we are ready for Saturday and Sunday.

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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.