Perez teases "massive package upgrade" for Australian Grand Prix

The Mexican spent half a decade at Racing Point's predecessor, Force India, before he put the team into administration because of its financial difficulties.

The team survived but with a new ownership, led by Canadian Lawrence Stroll, father of now Racing Point driver Lance. They have massive financial backing now, and Pérez was asked if this is going to make all the difference.

"Well, yes and no," he told RACER.

“Yes, because we’re having a massive package upgrade for Melbourne, but no because we are very limited on parts as in the past.

“Right now… you’re going to see low mileage from us, because simply we’re short on parts – we don’t want to risk it too much.

“But the most important for us is to understand what’s going on with the balance, how we can make it better, how I can be more comfortable.

“I think in that regard we did good progress.”

Looking ahead of the season, the Mexican explains the timesheets we're currently seeing don't really mean much.

“I think the midfield seems to be very, very tight but it’s too early to say.

“I was expecting Alfa Romeo to be very strong in the midfield, the Renaults, the Toro Rossos – I think there are not slow teams anymore.

“Any team can be a big surprise right now.”