Force India: Perez most underrated driver in F1 

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley believes Sergio Perez is Formula 1’s “most underrated driver” and feels it is “criminal” that he has been overlooked by top teams. 

Perez, who claimed his and Force India’s first podium in two years in a crazy Azerbaijan Grand Prix, has been a consistent performer for the Silverstone-based squad since moving to the team in 2014 following a tricky one-year spell at McLaren. 

The Mexican’s third-place finish in Baku marked his eighth career podium in F1, while he single-handedly scored over 200 points as the team secured back-to-back fourth place finishes in the constructors’ standings in 2016 and 2017.  

"I feel for Sergio in many ways because I think he is possibly the most underrated F1 driver out there," Fernley told Sky Sports. "As a racer he's amazing and, not that we would ever want to lose him, but I think it's criminal that he's been overlooked.”

Perez has been linked with a Ferrari seat in the past, and with Kimi Raikkonen’s contract expiring at the end of the current season, he could be considered by the Maranello outfit. 

"I think everybody wants to go to Ferrari,” Fernley added. “To wear the red overalls is a great privilege.”

Speaking to Sky after the race, Perez added he is yet to show his full potential in the sport and believes he would be ready for another shot at one of F1’s leading teams. 

"I still feel that there is so much more I can do in the sport," Perez said. "I also feel that my time will come because I work really hard, I really put my effort in to have an opportunity and I feel I deserve to have a car to show my full potential.

"There hasn't been an opportunity or vacancy in the top teams. If you want to do something in Formula 1 you really have to be in one of those teams."