Sergio Perez is confident Sahara Force India F1 Team can extract more performance from the VJM10, after the opening day of practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Mexican finished Free Practice 1 in eighth, with a fastest lap time of 1:14.201s around the Monte Carlo street circuit, he was able to finish 0.224 seconds ahead of tea-mate Esteban Ocon. Heading into Free Practice 2 with this strong performance, Perez was able to go seventh fastest, ahead of Lewis Hamilton. He ended the day by improving his morning session time by 0.402 seconds.
For him to finish both sessions in the top ten was a good result, as he’s not fully feeling comfortable with the car. Perez believes being able to analyse the data on Friday, will ensure the Silverstone-based outfit can set the car up correct for qualifying and the race.
“Finishing in the top ten in both sessions is a good result,” said Perez. “Especially considering I am not feeling fully comfortable with the car yet.
“We have a lot of work to do before qualifying, but I am confident we can extract more performance and be really strong on Saturday. It hasn’t been easy to get the tyres into the right window today.
“This makes it very hard around a place like this where there is no margin for error. We have time tonight and tomorrow to analyse all the data and ensure we can get our set-up right for qualifying and the race.”
