- Force India
Perez expecting 'painful start' to 2015
Sergio Perez admits Force India is braced for a "painful start" to the 2015 season after completing just two and a half test days with its new car ahead of the first race.
Force India had to delay the launch of its 2015 car this year due to cashflow problems and missed the first test entirely. The team took a 2014 car to the second test before finally debuting this year's VJM08 at the final test with just two full days remaining.
"What we do know is we are not where we were expecting to be in terms of pace for the first race," Perez said. "But we've got to look forward and the whole team is working well together. It is going to be a painful start to the year but I am sure we will get to where we want to be very soon."
He admitted points in the opening rounds would be a long shot.
"I think that would be a mega job from everyone considering where the car is, but in Melbourne you never know what can happen. I think purely with pace that would not really be possible but we will try with the strategy and we will try other things, but who knows? Anything can happen here in Melbourne, we just have to be there to take any opportunity that is offered to us."
Perez said having Mercedes power would help but the team needs to bring updates quickly to catch up.
"We have the best engine at the moment so in that respect we should have some advantage from that one. But I think the team is just working very hard to bring the parts that we really need for the season."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
