Perez surprised by Toro Rosso pace in Bahrain

Sergio Perez was surprised to see Toro Rosso lead the Formula 1 midfield through the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend with such pace and consistency, but is hopeful that Force India can bounce back and join the battle to be fourth-fastest in China.

After struggling at the season-opener in Australia, Toro Rosso made a giant stride forwards last time out in Bahrain thanks to a new update package which allowed Pierre Gasly to match the second-best result in the team's history by finishing fourth.

By contrast, Force India - last year's fourth-place finisher in the constructors' championship - had a more difficult race as Perez was caught up in an incident on the opening lap with Gasly's teammate, Brendon Hartley.

While Esteban Ocon was able to salvage a point in the second Force India car, the team left Bahrain sitting second-bottom in the teams' standings, having anticipated a tougher fight to retain its place in the pecking order.

"We expected [a tougher fight], but probably not from Toro Rosso. We didn’t expect Toro Rosso to be so consistent and quick right there," Perez admitted ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

"They were definitely fourth-strongest in Bahrain. I hope the midfield pack will be a lot tighter. I think there will be great competition throughout the season around the midfield group."

Perez said he expected the pace-setting midfield team to keep changing throughout the season, such are the fine margins separating Toro Rosso, Haas, McLaren, Renault and Force India, with Sauber also lurking in the fight.

"I think at the moment there is no one team," Perez said. "Probably Haas and Toro Rosso are the strongest right now, but everything is really close in that midfield group.

"Hopefully we can close up the gap and be leading that group soon."