Perez offers praise to Sauber after 'massive' improvements

  • Published on 01 Oct 2018 16:01
  • 8
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Sergio Perez has commended Sauber's improvements throughout the 2018 season, which has seen them fight for points on a more regular basis. The Swiss squad walked away from Russia with six points, courtesy of Charles Leclerc's seventh-place finish.

The Monegasque driver qualified in the same position one-day before, and held off the competition to bring Sauber within touching distance of Toro Rosso in the constructor's standings. 

Perez, who raised for Sauber during the 2011 and 2012 seasons has been left impressed by its progress: "I think they’ve done an amazing job. I just saw him [Charles Leclerc] on the first lap and then he disappeared. It was a massive surprise so let’s see what happens at Suzuka, different track and hopefully we can a bit more competitive there."

Speaking about his own race, both Force India tried and failed t pass the Haas of Kevin Magnussen. Perez came home in tenth place, collecting a point for himself and the pink panthers. After being handed a chance to get past Magnussen, he was instructed to give ninth place back to teammate Esteban Ocon.

"We just had to follow each other and the team tried to maximise today, they gave me the chance to push into [Kevin] Magnussen because we thought at the time that I was a bit quicker, which didn’t happen," he said. "I understood the decision and we did what we could today."

Replies (8)

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  • They've done their homework for sure. Really hope this bodes well for the future. Im sure the extra help from Ferrari and the current spec PU benefitted them greatly, but regardless its a good leap.

    • + 0
    • Oct 1 2018 - 17:13
    • Solid work from Sauber. But credit where it's due... It was only Leclerc who disappeared ahead of Force India. Ericsson was 13th. It's a good example of how a driver can still make a difference in the car.

      • + 1
      • Oct 1 2018 - 17:58
    • Oh he do indeed do a world's difference as of present. I really look forward to seeing him in that Ferrari next year.

      • + 0
      • Oct 1 2018 - 18:42
  • websurfer

    Posts: 52

    "It was only Leclerc who disappeared ahead of Force India. Ericsson was 13th. It's a good example of how a driver can still make a difference in the car " AND maybe it's a good example as well of how a team only are able to have one top performing car.

    • + 0
    • Oct 1 2018 - 19:17
    • Please explain. Are there parts only Leclerc had access to?

      • + 0
      • Oct 1 2018 - 20:20
    • websurfer

      Posts: 52

      We have seen this often in the past that the best mechanics and the best engineer are reserved to the number 1 driver.

      • + 0
      • Oct 1 2018 - 20:47
    • Doesnt mean it applies to this case. And Ronnie Peterson could compensate for such bop. Marcus cant.

      • + 0
      • Oct 2 2018 - 09:19
    • and if so, Marcus should ask himself why the rookie is the number 1 driver...

      • + 0
      • Oct 2 2018 - 17:30

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