By alley - Dec 23, 2016, 12:11 PM ET

F1: Perez now the real deal - Fernley

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley says Sergio Perez "has become the real deal" over the past 12 months after helping the team secure fourth in the constructors' championship.

Perez scored 101 points in 2016, marking the first time a Force India driver has reached three figures in a season. He also delivered two podiums in three races with third place in both Monaco and Azerbaijan, before ending the year with a run of ten consecutive point-scoring finishes as he comfortably posted his best result with seventh in the drivers' championship.

Following a difficult year at McLaren in 2013, the last three years have seen Perez rebuilding his reputation as he has found more consistency in his performances. Calling the achievement of exceeding 100 points "incredible," Fernley says Perez has reached a new level this season.

"I think 2016 has been the year that Checo has become the real deal," Fernley told RACER. "He has matured into a very, very pragmatic driver. When the opportunity comes he takes it, and when it's not quite there he makes sure that he delivers the results. That's what has got him his 100 points at the end of the day, and obviously a long way to helping us with the fourth place."

Next season will see Perez paired with a new teammate for the first time in his Force India career following the departure of Nico Hulkenberg to Renault. French youngster Esteban Ocon will replace Hulkenberg having made his debut for Manor this season, with the 19-year-old set for his first full season in Formula 1.

Despite Perez now having six years of F1 experience – of which the last three have been spent at Force India – Fernley doesn't see the Mexican taking on the role of team leader alongside Ocon in 2017.

"No, I'd like to think we can challenge him. I'd like to think we can use the winter to bring Esteban on – he's clearly got the talent – and then hopefully we can challenge him. I like the idea that both sides of the garage are equal and pushing each other. That's what I want to see next season."