Perez envisions 'massive surprise' from Force India in 2019

Sergio Perez is expecting Force India to make big gains in 2019 following the heavy investment from Lawrence Stroll. Stroll took over the team during the summer break, saving it from administration and taking it off the hands of the previous owners.

The team is currently in seventh place in the constructor's standings, but would be fourth if it added the points it recieved prior to its reset midway through the season. And with the addition of investment, Perez predicts that there will be some surprises from the Silverstone outfit next year.

“I don’t think it will change,” said Perez on Lance Stroll's likely move to the team for 2019. “At the end of the day the interest of all the team even the team buyer, the team owner, is that the team is very successful.

“For that we need both cars to be one hundred percent and the team to develop as quickly as possible. For that you really need full performance. If that happens he’s coming into a great team with great people and engineers where he’s going to grow a lot and I see great things for the team. I think we have all the guidance, we just need the budget and I think we can be a massive surprise next year.”

Perez has had a busy week in Mexico City as he prepares for his home race. The event returned to the calendar in 2015, with Perez being the centre of attention for most of the fans since the return.

"It’s amazing. Since the first year we’ve had the Mexican Grand Prix it’s been big," the former Sauber and McLaren driver said. "We’ve seen in other countries that sometimes it backs away, but it doesn’t happen here.

“The people, the media, everyone is so excited about this weekend. It’s been great, you know. The amount of support that I’ve received during the weekend is amazing and I think, once again, we’re going to have an amazing Grand Prix,” he added.