Force India’s recent takeover means it has to “deliver to a new level” and aim to break into the top three of Formula 1’s Constructors’ Championship, according to Sergio Perez.
Force India secured back-to-back fourth places in the standings across 2016 and 2017, in spite of financial limitations that reached a nadir through 2018.
Force India was rescued from administration in August by the Racing Point UK company that was set up by Lawrence Stroll and a group of investors.
Perez has been with the Silverstone-based outfit since 2014 and last week confirmed that he has committed to the reborn team for another campaign.
When asked what has changed since Stroll’s takeover, Perez said: “We have to deliver to a new level, the next step, I will be very happy to do that. Since I joined the team we’ve made incredible progress
“Lawrence is enthusiastic and optimistic and willing to take this team to the next level.
“He understands racing, he believes a lot in what he bought, and I want to be part of this new, next generation of the team. We have very promising times ahead of us.
“I think [the step is] obviously not from one year to another, Lawrence is willing to put this team into the next step and the next step has to be top three.
“You are fighting big budgets, big facilities, but I believe with the right investment, right guidance this team can definitely be one to watch for the near future.
“I’m optimistic next year we should already be making a good step forward.”
Force India has typically started seasons slowly, sometimes with old-specification machinery, before making gains through the year.
Perez reckons one key aspect the greater level of finance can assist with is ensuring Force India begins a new season on the front foot.
“It’s going to make a big difference, where the team will start [the season], we generally have a good package but it comes late in the season,” he said.
“We should be having a strong baseline from race one onwards, and that should make a big difference.
“Saying that I cannot take away anything from the team, we’ve been extremely successful with the limitations we’ve had, the best of the rest the last two years, even the problems this season.”
