Perez: I need to move up the grid

Editor

Sergio Perez has reiterated his intentions of being a World Champion, but in order to do so he has to up be further up the grid with, or without, Force India.

Despite wanting to be in a World Championship winning car, the Mexican is satisfied with his current team and wants to get the deal done to stay at the Silverstone-based outfit in 2017 swiftly.

In chat with Sky Sports, the former McLaren driver was asked how far away he is from claiming his first World Championship, he answered: “At the moment I am very far off [being world champion].”

“I need to move up the grid, I need to move up closer to that.

“If we manage to secure fourth in the Constructors’ Championship then that means I am three places away from having that chance to fight for the world title.”

Other than being a World Champion, Perez has aspirations of racing for Ferrari, which according to him is the biggest team in the history of the sport.

“Obviously Ferrari is the biggest team in Formula 1, it is a dream for every driver,” he said.

“I just hope that if the opportunity comes it comes at the right time at the right moment. It is so important for a racing career that the opportunity comes at the right time and the right moment.”

The 26-year-old also reflected on his time at McLaren, where he suffered a difficult time. However, he did add that he was grateful he went through that experience.

“It was extremely tough my period with McLaren, especially what happened at the end,” Perez explained.

“I was expecting to be part of McLaren for a couple of years, to grow with the team, but that didn’t happen. I didn’t have the opportunity to show my full potential with the team. We didn’t have a competitive car, but not only that we didn’t have a consistent car. When I look back it is just great that I was able to survive that hit.”