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Perez urges Sauber to develop
ESPNF1 Staff
February 22, 2012
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Sergio Perez completed 85 laps on Wednesday © Sutton Images
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Sergio Perez has urged Sauber to develop the C31 ahead of the first race of the season in Melbourne.
On the second day in Barcelona Perez was a close second behind Nico Hulkenberg, with his best time just 0.040s slower than the Force India. While admitting that the car had a good baseline and that he was "optimistic" for the new season, Perez said the team would have to improve the car before the Australian Grand Prix because all of its rivals would be doing the same.
"I think we are optimistic," Perez said. "Of course it's a good starting point for us but we must develop our car. From now to Melbourne we have to find performance because most other teams will do it, so it's very important that we really push the maximum to try to get performance before Melbourne which will make the difference. I believe that we are now in a good position but everything changes once we go to Melbourne."
Despite having lost technical director James Key just prior to the first test at Jerez, Perez said he had confidence that the current technical team could ensure progress is made.
"I think we have very good people at the team. They're very experienced people that can handle the job and the leadership of the team quite well so I think the team is doing the right calls for the moment and everything is looking quite OK."
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