It Has Been a Very Intense Season Mentally – Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez believes he can be proud of his performances through a 2018 season he labelled “very intense mentally” amid Force India’s off-track issues.

Perez has been with Force India since 2014 and as a creditor he and his management played a role in triggering the administration process prior to the summer break.

Force India was rescued by a consortium of investors led by Lawrence Stroll and the team, officially a new entrant, was able to complete the remainder of the campaign.

Perez scored a podium in Azerbaijan but had a mixed opening half of the year, before going on to score points at all bar two events after the summer break.

He finished the year eighth in the Drivers’ Championship.

“It’s been a good year when you considering everything that has happened,” he said.

“It has been a very intense season mentally with everything that I had to go through with the administration process of the team, negotiations and so on.

“I ended up in a position that as a racing driver it’s never ideal to be in that situation, so considering that, the mental stress and all that I had throughout the season, I think it’s been a fantastic outcome.

“A great outcome for the team, good results for me.

“Without the retirement in Mexico, I should be just two or three points from [Nico] Hulkenberg to be best of the rest, but all in all, I think it’s been an alright year.

“The only midfield car to score a podium as well.”

Perez explained that the build-up to the administration process had been months in the making, as erstwhile owner Vijay Mallya’s financial problems got worse.

“In July, it’s probably when everything, the news, came out, but there has been a lot of preparation going in too,” he said.

“There were very complicated months where at the same time I had to drive the car, try to perform at the very best, and it was never easy to do that.

“But I think as a team, we went through a very difficult period, very difficult months, but I’m very happy with the outcome, to look back now and reflect on what we have done, I think it’s not too bad.”