Once hailed as a future world champion, Sergio Perez still hopes he can get a second chance to prove himself at the top in Formula 1.
The Mexican rose to prominence in 2012 with Sauber with several stand-out drives, including just missing out on victory in a rain-hit Malaysian GP when a late error cost him the chance to pass Fernando Alonso.
Then a member of Ferrari’s young driver program, he’d be snapped up by McLaren for 2013 but his arrival coincided with a dip in performance and he would leave after just one year, taking the seat at the Silverstone-based team he has kept ever since.
Now, with the possibility of several seats at top teams coming available, the 27-year-old is not being mentioned as an option with other names such as teammate Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz ahead and that frustrates ‘Checo’.
“I think I’ve been doing a very strong job in the past seasons so in that side there is not a lot I can do. It’s hard to show,” he told RaceFans.net.
“I finish in the last two years seventh in the championship, in the front mix. So it’s hard for people to realise but I’m sure when they look at the performance.
“It’s not a coincidence I’ve beaten good drivers such as Hulkenberg, the time we spent together.”
This season has begun on a much tougher note for Force India, with Perez yet to score a point after three races, however, he has no doubt that he hasn’t lost any of his ability.
“I still have my aim one day I will get the chance to fight for the best possible results because I believe I am as good as anyone here,” he stated.
“But in F1 it’s so much down to the potential of your team and your car. I hope that soon I can get an opportunity to show my full capacity.”
