Sergio Perez has called on Force India to drop the team orders put in place during last season believing they could be a hurdle in what is expected to be an even more competitive midfield battle in 2018.
Despite managing their best ever season in Formula 1, a number of incidents between the Mexican and teammate Esteban Ocon forced the Silverstone-based outfit to prohibit their two drivers from racing each other out of fear they would collide again.
That meant Perez was often forced to sit behind the young Frenchman as he got the upper hand in qualifying towards the end of the year, however, with every point likely to be hard fought next season, the 27-year-old insists the team cannot play it safe.
“We have got to understand how difficult it is going to be next year,” he told Motorsport.com. “We’ll have the Renaults and McLarens pushing us hard so we need to push freely if we are to be in the fight.
“We also need to have a car that is competitive from the beginning, to be in the fight from the start and be in the fight for the season.”
The seven-time podium sitter is also adamant he and Ocon have both learnt their lessons from the comings together in Baku and Spa, with the latter the trigger for the team orders being implemented.
“We hit a very low point on our relationship in Belgium but things have got a lot better since then,” Perez claimed. “We’re working professionally. We know we work for a team and we have to do the best for them, especially for next year.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge, given the competition and threat from bigger teams which have struggled.”
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Ultimately, though some results were compromised, the incidents didn’t have a significant bearing on their final championship positions as Force India eased to a retention of the fourth place in the Constructors’ standings, over 100 points clear of Williams, while Perez and Ocon finished seventh and eighth in the Drivers’ separated by just 13 points.
One of the reasons for the flashpoints was the interesting dynamic the two had of the established name in Perez up against the up and coming talent in Ocon in his first full F1 season. Sergio has admitted to underestimating the 21-year-old but praised his performances.
“Esteban came to F1 really well prepared with his experience in the previous categories and relationships with F1 teams,” said the Mexican. “So that was good for us.
“Every driver’s personality is different. Certainly, Esteban is someone who can be quick. He understands what he needs and that is important. He’s been on it this year.”
