Perez tips Force India to surprise with VJM10

Sergio Perez is tipping Force India to continue its form from 2016 and "give a hard time to the top teams" this season.

Force India launched its 2017 car – the VJM10 – at Silverstone on Wednesday afternoon, with team principal Vijay Mallya setting a target of at least matching last year's fourth place in the constructors' championship. Perez agrees with Mallya's aim, saying the stability within Force India gives it every chance of delivering another competitive car.

"I think there are plenty of reasons to be very hopeful we can do the next step as a team," Perez said. "In the four years I have been in this team I have never seen it so stable, everyone knowing their job and none of the teams I have been in F1 this level of confidence, organization, everyone doing their jobs. We have plenty of reasons to be hopeful for a great year."

Renault managing director Cyril Abiteboul questioned the ability of the smaller teams to match the development rate of the manufacturers throughout the coming season, with new regulations leaving plenty of opportunity to improve. Perez, however, believes Force India has the potential to challenge the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

"I think you never know. People think we carried on the development last year to get fourth place but it wasn't true we stopped in May. I think speaking to Otmar [Szafnauer], Bob [Fernley], Andrew [Green]... everyone is in place with a plan of upgrades through the year. Whether that is good enough compared with the big teams who knows, but I certainly think we will give a hard time to the top teams.

"Last year we were fourth so I see no reason why we can't improve that. The base is very solid. There are plenty of reasons to be hoping for that. That means a massive year for us but I think Force India will be the big surprise this year.

"I really hope we can improve. We are very optimistic about the car, this season. It is easy to talk now but I have a feeling Force India has done a tremendous job over the winter."

Asked why he is so confident, Perez says he has been working closely with the team over the winter and is encouraged by the progress he has seen.

"I have seen how people are working within the team and been in talks all the time. I have been in the factory many times. I see what people are doing, they are explaining how the car is working, how the development rate has been. Plenty of reasons to feel we can do a good job."