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Perez: Force India the best option outside top three

Published on 22 Aug 2018 16:21
3
By: Fergal Walsh

Sergio Perez firmly believes that Force India is the best place for a driver to be if they are not racing for a top three team. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are in a league of their own this season, with third-placed Red Bull already 141 points ahead of fourth-placed Renault.

Despite being currently two places behind Renault in the constructor's standings, Perez claims that the Silverstone based squad is the best behind the top trio. The Mexican's future is not completely certain, but it is expected that he will stay where he is for next season.

"If Force India is in good hands, then I would like to stay," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "It's still the best team behind the big three. I used to wait forever for a decision from Ferrari, but this year I'm not so I hope the decision is sooner," Perez added.

Perez has also criticised the gap between the top three teams and the rest of the field. So far this year, Perez is the only driver outside of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull to have claimed a podium finish.

"There are two categories in Formula 1," he said. "That's the biggest problem the sport has to improve. There has to be more than three teams team fighting for victory. It's not a fair sport anymore."

Force India's future was in major doubt for many months before a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll invested in the team. Lance Stroll is set to join as one of its drivers next year, while either Perez or Esteban Ocon will stay on. However, as Perez has significant financial backing, it is likely that he will remain for a sixth season with Force India.

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Sergio Perez Esteban Ocon Lance Stroll Force India Ferrari Renault Mercedes

Replies (3)

talktohenry

Posts: 362
Big mistake as Renault are a manufacturer, really trying and with half decent budgets, and FA is now owned by a group of investors who will not want to put much cash into the team after the initial honeymoon phase is over. And as big as their pockets are, they still won't want to blow it on F1 and will start fighting among themselves once the reality of paying the bills hits home. The Billionaire coming into F1 and leaving as Millionaire keeps rolling back into the sport, they never learn, until their pockets have been well emptied.
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- Aug 22 2018 - 16:49
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Im not sure it is anymore. It used to be, and that Merc' engine probably still give them some extra points, but Merc aside I think Haas is the current shoe in for best of the rest. Renault is let down by their engine, and I wonder if Force India will be able to keep it up next year, but Haas only issue as of present is the retirements from their drivers and disintegrating chassis, and the Ferrari engine is now so good that it seems almost negligible whether you run Ferrari power or Merc' might.
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- Aug 22 2018 - 18:45
Patentprutser

Posts: 390
That's what I would say if there are no other options! Renault and Ferrari B-team Haas are getting more and more the hang of it, so Checo, I'm afraid your talent isn't reconned any more because Ocon is ahaed of you.
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- Aug 23 2018 - 08:00