Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg have both admitted sitting out half of the first test was not ideal but they understand the reasons why.
Both Hulkenberg and Perez have missed out in driving the VJM06 on day one of testing with them being replace in the car by rookie Alfonso Celis. Celis has been used in for the first day of testing as part of the development contract he signed with Force India. Speaking to Motorsport.com Hulkenberg gave his opinion:
“Not ideal, for sure.”
“Today there are lots of installation checks and stuff, so there is a bit of time there which is not hurting so much.
“That is what the team had decided and that is what we will go with.”
Celis will also replace Hulkenberg for several Friday practice sessions throughout the season as part of the same deal. Something Hulkenberg has been aware of for some time now and something he has been used to throughout his Formula One career. “Yes, that will happen,” he said. “I’ve had it before. It’s not a huge deal”
Perez also understands the situation and he knows he has to look at the big picture, not just his own success.
“It’s fully understandable from from the team’s point of view, it helps always to have some financial benefits from coming from that.
“It helps always to have some financial benefits from coming from that.
“I think it’s important also that we give him some days, especially as he’s going to be driving in some FP1 sessions, so we had to have the experience with the car.
“As a racing driver you want to have the most possible time in the car, but sometimes that’s not possible.
“I think the team has found a good compromise for that, so let’s look forward to it and maximise the three days that I will get in the car.”
The new Force India is very much an evolution of last years car, meaning there is very littles need for Hulkenberg and Perez to do as many laps as they would usually achieve in a test as the driveability is expected to be very much the same.
