Perez: ‘No doubt’ Aston Martin can challenge top three

Sergio Perez has “no doubt” that his team can challenge Formula 1’s established top three when they become Aston Martin from 2021.

Racing Point多年来已经习惯刺in the side of the big teams with a fraction of their budget.

But under Lawrence Stroll they now have a healthy budget, and that will only continue to grow when theyrebrand to Aston Martinfrom 2021.

That year will also mark the start of Formula 1’snew $145m-per-season budget cap, as well as a sliding scale on R&D based on where a team finishes in the Constructors’ Championship.

And with the budgets restricted, Perez has “no doubt” that Aston Martin will be up there with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull from next year.

Speaking ahead of the 2020 season-opening Austrian Grand Prix, he said: “Certainly the team is in a good shape, in a good position for the future.

“I think everyone saw what we managed to do in the past, with such a limited budget that we had. We were extremely successful.

“So I think now everything is ready in the team to welcome Aston Martin and definitely to make the next step.

“It has to be a huge step, obviously, to fight with the top three, with the big teams.

“But with the cost cap in the budget that should bring everyone more together and hopefully, well, I have no doubt that we will be able to challenge them.”

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Perez’s team-mateLance Strollechoed those thoughts, and said that the “energy” within the team was at an all-time high.

“I think there’s great potential going forwards. The team is in a great place,” he added.

“There’s a lot of things to look forward to. There’s a bright future ahead in my opinion and that’s very exciting for everyone.

“I think the energy in the team is better than it’s ever been. People are really looking forward to the future.

“But we’re here right now, we’re in Austria, it’s great to be back racing and we’ve got a big season ahead of us. My sights are set on this season.”

The season-opening Austrian Grand Prix gets underway on Friday with FP1 at 11am local time.

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