Mexican Sergio Perez admits he was not expecting the impact Esteban Ocon has made in his first full season in Formula 1 and first with the Force India team.

Some were surprised when the young Frenchman was chosen by the Silverstone-based over fellow Mercedes junior and then Manor teammate Pascal Wehrlein to replace Nico Hulkenberg for 2017, but Ocon has more than repaid the trust with points results at every race bar Monaco.

Only Perez's higher points scoring finishes have kept him ahead in the Drivers' standings despite having two fewer top 10's and it has led to tensions with the pair colliding notably in Baku and Belgium.

Talking to France's Auto Hebdo publication, the 27-year-old claims despite their vast difference in experience, such as been the former European F3 champion's form, he has been looking to him to help improve his own performance this year.

“I did not think he would have such results in his first year,” he said. “Even with a difficult car, Esteban still manages to go fast. That’s one of his strengths and I have to learn from that. Recently, he has also managed to improve a lot in qualifying too."

Related Stories:

• Force India to focus on trailling 2018 parts at final races
• GP3 champion Russell to run for Force India in Practice 1 at final races

In Mexico, Force India secured fourth in the Constructors' Championship after dominating the midfield battle throughout the year. In fact, it has been that domination which has put the two drivers on the same part of the racetrack so frequently and resulted in these incidents.

Team orders had to be introduced to prevent further dramas but for Perez that competition has been welcome given the inability to challenge further up the grid.

“For me it’s good to have a teammate to push me to my limits because in today’s F1, your teammate is your only reference," the seven-time podium scorer claimed. “The three teams in front of us are untouchable.”