Sergio Pérez has praised his Force India team for its strong start to the 2017 Formula 1 season, calling it a “tremendous effort”.
The Mexican driver finished sixth at the Russian Grand Prix, helping the Silverstone-based outfit consolidate its fourth place in the constructors’ standings.
He started ninth but had a strong start, moving ahead of Nico Hülkenberg and then picking up another place when Daniel Ricciardo retired with brake troubles.
Pérez gained another position late on when Felipe Massa suffered a slow puncture; Esteban Ocon, meanwhile, finished in seventh, continuing his run of points finishes since joining Force India.
“Sixth place feels very satisfying and with Esteban [Ocon] in seventh it has been a really positive day for the team,” Perez explained.
“We’ve consolidated our fourth place in the championship and I’m seventh in the drivers’ championship – which is a tremendous effort from the first four races.
“The race was not especially exciting for me because I was always on my own in clean air – chasing the cars ahead and pulling away from the cars behind.
“So there were no on-track battles and I could simply focus on managing my race and bringing home the points.
“The team did a great job with the strategy – waiting until the right moment to pit and not coming in too soon.
“Once again, we took all the opportunities that were on the table and we can feel very happy tonight.”