Sergio Perez says is he “at my peak” in Formula 1 and hopes to finish his Racing Point career on a high off the back of a first podium finish in two years.
Perez will bring down the curtain on a seven-year spell with Racing Point, formerly Force India, next month after the team opted to recruit Sebastian Vettel for its transition to Aston Martin.
Perez equalled his best Formula 1 finish at the Turkish Grand Prix by finishing second – a result he last achieved in Italy eight years ago with Sauber – to move on to 100 points for the season.
The Mexican driver now holds fourth in the standings, behind only World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
He has never before finished higher than seventh in the overall championship classification.
“I think from my side it’s been a good season but also Formula 1, it’s so much related to your car’s potential,” he said.
“I think I’ve had very good seasons in the past but were not seen as a good year because of the car potential. I was finishing seventh in the championship, a couple of times eighth, but I was still doing a good job, a tremendous job.
“I think right now I’m in a very good level in my career, I think probably at my peak in terms of experience, understanding, communication-wise with the team as well. I’ve been a while with the team so that also helps.
“I think the season has been a bit up and down due to a lot of things, circumstances, some on track, some off track.
“Still we’re getting our season on track and I’m sure this podium will help us to finish the last few races on a high.”
Perez, 30, is currently without a 2021 Formula 1 seat.
