Perez happy with Bahrain tests instead of Barcelona: "Not a bad thing"

While the pre-season tests were originally scheduled to take place at the Barcelona circuit, this year they have been moved to the Bahrain International Circuit, where the first Grand Prix of the season will also be held. Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing's newest recruit, sees in this an advantage for both drivers and teams.

Asked by Motorsport.com for his opinion on the rescheduled testing, Perez replied: "I think it is not a bad thing.”

As the main reason, the Mexican racer identifies the temperature difference between Bahrain and Europe in winter. 'Considering how cold it can be in Europe at that time, I think it is a good reference', Perez said.

The weather conditions on a circuit often have a big influence on the situation on the track and inside the car. It follows that the better a test day mirrors the situation of the first GP in Bahrain, the more relevant the data collected on that day. Perez makes a similar argument, saying: “It will help me a little more, because we will do the test and then we will do the race there. I don't think it will change much, but it is an adaptation process that can probably be a little easier.”

Whether this adjustment to the test schedule makes a big difference will become clear in March, at the Bahrain GP. It will then become clear whether Red Bull has closed the gap to frontrunner Mercedes, a goal about which Perez says: "We definitely have to narrow the gap with Mercedes and hopefully be able to beat them with both cars on a regular basis. Give them a big fight and hopefully give F1 a better show."