Sergio Perez has performed down claims that Purple Bull have a considerable benefit over their F1 rivals, claiming it’s “loads nearer” than some persons are making out.
Perez spent the entire day within the RB20, taking on from world champion teammate Max Verstappen.
The Mexican set the second-fastest time of the day – the quickest of any driver on the C3 tyre – finishing 129 laps within the course of.
Purple Bull’s kind has been ominous, notably after Verstappen dominated day one, topping the timesheets by over a second.
Nevertheless, Perez feels the hole to Purple Bull’s rivals has shrunk over the winter.
“I imagine that issues are loads nearer than we’re pondering, positively,” Perez stated.
“I don’t actually assume that we’ve had a lot of a glance [at our rivals] in that regard,” he added.
“In the intervening time we’re mainly centered on our job, we’ve been so busy with our programme. I believe tomorrow, there will likely be a bit extra of an thought, however I believe we are going to discover out subsequent Sunday [following the Bahrain Grand Prix].”
Perez hailed the RB20 as a “step ahead in the precise route” regardless of the circumstances being “tough”.
“Usually talking, it’s positively a step ahead in the precise route with the automotive,” he added. “It’s clearly a really tough observe, with the morning to the afternoon, dialling in some set-up, and getting to know some set-up compound.
“It’s very tough as a result of the observe is altering just about each outing, so it’s important to base the whole lot just about in your feeling.”
Perez will likely be again within the automotive on Friday morning earlier than handing over to Verstappen.
