Sergio Perez says Force India must match the development rate it enjoyed in previous seasons if it is to keep pace with the fight for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Force India claimed back-to-back fourth places across 2016/17 but faces a threat from McLaren and Renault – making gains after recent lacklustre campaigns – as well as newest entrant Haas.
Force India failed to make it through to Q3 in Australia and raced to 11th and 12th – Perez ahead of Esteban Ocon – as it left a season-opener empty-handed for the first time since 2009.
Perez, though, remains confident Force India can live with the development rate, and has challenged the operation to build on previous experience to remain in the hunt.
“We’ve got to be targeting points this weekend,” said Perez, looking ahead to the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“Melbourne showed just how close all the teams are in the middle of the grid, so it’s especially important to have a clean weekend and maximise every session.
“The development race will be very intense this year, but I know we have good things coming.
“We need to do what we have done in the last few years by making improvements to the car at each race.
“We’ve already made a step forward since pre-season testing so we need to keep working in the same direction.”
Perez has scored points four times from six appearances in Bahrain, peaking with a podium finish with Force India in 2014
“It’s actually one of my favourite tracks of the year and I’ve always gone well there,” said Perez.
“The track often creates good racing. I still remember the battle I had with Jenson Button in 2013.
“The layout really allows you to race wheel-to-wheel at times. If you lose a position in Turn 1, you can fight back through Turns 2, 3 and 4.”
