Perez admits Force India pace worse than expected

  • Published on 24 Mar 2018 09:28
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Sergio Perez was left disappointed following qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. The Mexican dropped out in Q2, as did teammate Esteban Ocon, as he admits that the Silverstone-based team do not appear to look very competitive at the moment.

Force India has enjoyed two consecutive seasons as the fourth fastest team, but now have a challenge on their hands with McLaren, Renault and Haas all making improvements over winter. Perez, who is set to start tomorrow's race from P13 barring any penalties, was far from happy after he set a 'hell of a lap'.

"You can never be happy being P13," the 28-year-old said. "Especially knowing that I got a hell of a lap out there. It’s just not enough. It’s not like something went wrong. I think the performance today was there but it’s just where the car is. Hopefully we can improve and get closer to the competition.

Force India's car was heavily upgraded since Barcelona testing two weeks ago, but it appears that the team have slipped down the pecking order. However, with development continuing throughout the season, Perez thinks it will find itself moving upwards soon.

"I think the load of the car is not there,” he said. "We have probably less downforce than the other teams at the moment. But it’s a long season and I believe in the team, I think we can move up. We’ve been in this situation before in Melbourne, first race of the season. It’s a long trip to Abu Dhabi."

 

Fergal Walsh

 

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • To be honest, Force India looked outright dreadful. Whatever happened to that clear 4th best team?

    • + 0
    • Mar 24 2018 - 12:34

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 1,344
  • Podiums 33
  • Grand Prix 186
  • Country MX
  • Date of b. Jan 26 1990 (34)
  • Place of b. Guadalajara, MX
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar