Sergio Perez hopes Force India’s planned mid-season update will make the team “a constant points scorer”, although the Mexican already eyes a top-ten finish at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Silverstone-based outfit had a troubled winter and was forced to delay the launch of its new VJM08 until the final pre-season test in Barcelona.
Although strong reliability enabled both Perez and team-mate Nico Hulkenberg to notch up a double points finish in Australia, the pair has been regularly circulating at the back and is yet to make a Q3 appearance.
Deputy team principal Bob Fernley has admitted that Force India was in “damage limitation” mode until it introduces a B-spec car at the Austrian Grand Prix in June. Having already vented his frustration at the team’s early form, Perez remains unsure of what lies ahead but hopes the upgraded VJM08 will allow him to consistently challenge for points.
“It’s difficult to say, as everyone is improving all the time and everyone is bringing upgrades,” replied the Mexican when asked about his expectations on Force India's future developments.
“We are not the only ones who are going to bring them but we really have identified our issues with the car, our weaknesses, so in that respect it should put us a lot better.
“I think if we can solve the general issue of the car, the main weakness of the car, then it can be a really good step that can put us in a really good position to be a constant points scorer.”
This weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix also sees Perez come back to the place where he scored a resounding podium finish for Force India 12 months ago. While the ex-McLaren driver does not imagine repeating last year’s result, his trip to Sakhir definitely brings back nice memories Perez is keen to emulate.
“Obviously it was great to remember that day. It was a fantastic day, a fantastic race for me. It was really difficult to make it onto the podium, as it was a very intense race all the way through.
“Generally, I have been doing well (in Bahrain). The year before I did quite well at this track, so I think I get on with the track quite nicely. Unfortunately we are not in a similar position to dream about a podium for this weekend but I think, hopefully, we can score some points and make a great improvement.”
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