Sergio Pérez says Force India can compete with no pressure at this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, having already wrapped up fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Force India mathematically clinched the position in Mexico, the second successive season in which it has achieved the feat, setting its own personal points record in the process, currently sitting on 177.
Pérez, who will remain with Force India into 2018, is hoping the outfit can sign off from its most successful campaign in fitting fashion.
“Yas Marina is a track where we’ve been strong for the last few years and I would love to end the year on a high with a strong result,” said Pérez.
“The final race is always a strange feeling because it’s your last opportunity to drive the VJM10 and you don’t know what next year will bring.
“We don’t have any pressure because fourth place in the championship is confirmed so I can focus on simply enjoying the experience and getting the best result possible.
“There are some interesting corner combinations at Yas Marina and it’s a track that is hard on braking, with a lot of emphasis on traction.
“There are overtaking opportunities at the end of the long straights so you often find yourself either attacking or defending, especially towards the end of the race.”
Pérez, who holds seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, behind only the Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull racers, says he can be “proud” of his year.
“As a team we can be satisfied with our season,” said Pérez.
“Finishing fourth is the best we could achieve and, on a personal level, finishing just behind the top six drivers makes me feel proud.
“We just need to make sure we deliver this weekend and end the season well.”
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