Sergio Perez says Force India is showing increased belief it can be competitive in 2016.
Force India started last season in difficult circumstances, with the team's 2015 car late following a restructuring of its aerodynamics department. However, once the B-spec car was introduced Force India enjoyed a strong end to the season to finish fifth in the constructors' championship.
Asked if there is a change of attitude within the team ahead of this season, Perez replied: "I think so.
"I think the team tend to believe we are competitive, we are strong and can have a great season ahead of us. It’s going to be a big challenge as always, competition is pretty strong but I tend to see different faces in the team who believe we can do well and believe we can improve what we have done last year."
And Perez is hopeful Force India will start the new season in the same position it finished 2015.
"I think at the moment it’s quite early, but I want to believe that we are where we finished off last year - not in Abu Dhabi but generally the last part of the year. If we can be there for the start of the year I think we have promising changes on the car so it can be a good year."
ANALYSIS: The two F1 pre-season tests in numbers
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