- Force India
Perez eyeing Monza podium return
Sergio Perez believes a repeat of his 2012 podium is up for grabs at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend as the Monza tracks plays to Force India's strengths.
Force India has traditionally excelled at low-downforce circuits like Monza, which also suits its Mercedes power unit. Despite a disappointing showing in Belgium, where Force India spent the race making up for a below-par qualifying performance, Perez thinks he can return to the podium for the second time this year at Monza if it qualifies well on Saturday.
"We will certainly try," Perez said. "I think it's going to be a good track for us. It's important to qualify in the top ten to have a chance of scoring good points. It's difficult to overtake at Monza and if you are out of position it's hard to recover.
"It's another favourite of mine. I think everybody enjoys going there because it's such a beautiful location. I raced there a few times before Formula One and always had good results. I was on the podium two years ago [finishing second] - it was one of my best races in Formula One and a very special memory."
Team-mate Nico Hulkenberg also believes Force India should head to Monza with confidence.
"I expect us to be quite competitive there," Hulkenberg said. "It should be better for us than Spa. It's all about power and top speed and we know the engine will be strong. We also have a new low downforce rear wing that we will use for Monza only. Braking from top speed for the chicanes with a skinny rear wing is always tricky."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
