Only Honda now cut adrift in F1's power stakes, reckons Perez
Thursday 27 April 2017 16:24, UK
Mercedes' engine advantage in F1's hybrid era is over, according to Force India's Sergio Perez.
The sport is into its fourth year of running V6 turbo power units and for the first time the Mercedes works team is not dominating races with Ferrari instead leading the championship after the opening three rounds.
And Perez, whose Force India team run Mercedes power, reckons the German manufacturer now only has a big advantage over struggling Honda.
"I definitely think that Ferrari is at the same level as Mercedes," said Perez ahead of a Russian GP which Mercedes-engined cars have traditionally dominated.
"Renault is more or less there. We [Mercedes] only have the advantage to Honda. Ferrari and Renault have done a massive step forward to catch Mercedes."
Although they have scored only two points so far, Renault's own team have made one of the biggest performance jumps over 2016 with their car proving the fourth quickest in qualifying at each of the last two races.
Perez turned down the opportunity to join the Enstone team for this year, but said: "Renault has been really a good surprise for Formula 1. They have made an impressive step."
Despite the improvement of their midfield rivals, and the fact they are not yet being completely happy with their heavy VJM10 car, Force India still sit fourth in the Constructors' Championship after double points finishes in all three races.
Perez says Force India have "made the most" of the opening flyaway rounds and hopes next month's Spanish GP at Barcelona, when a big car upgrade is planned, will be when the team start to show their full 2017 potential.
"We will see in Barcelona what we are able to do compared to everyone else," he said.
"We are fourth in the constructors' at the moment, so we are looking good. We have been taking opportunities from others, we definitely don't have the pace to be there [fourth], but once we have the pace things should be a lot better."
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