Sergio Perez says Racing Point has never been so prepared for a Formula 1 season, and that he has never had such a strong car at this stage of the build-up to a new campaign.
Perez joined Racing Point under its Force India guise for 2014 and the squad was often playing catch-up, occasionally introducing a B-spec car, in the midfield battle.
Last season its early form was compromised by the effects of the mid-2018 takeover but Perez went on to score points in each of the last six events.
Racing Point has adopted Mercedes’ design philosophy for 2020, with Perez and team-mate Lance Stroll setting competitive times during Barcelona testing.
“I think we’ve never been this prepared before,” he said on Wednesday.
“We always tend to come back in the second half of the season, so I think it will be the first time we can start a stronger season.
“I think we are optimistic for the season start but the season is so long, and how much you can improve through the season, how much you can improve from now to Melbourne.”
“We’ve got a lot of work on our hands but certainly we have a car that has potential.
Perez added that “I think this can be the most solid package I’ve had in my career to start the season.
“I hope in Melbourne that proves to be right, but at the moment the car is working well, I think there is good things, good signs, but we’ve got so much work to do before Melbourne so hopefully we can be as prepared as possible.”
