New dad Perez cradling big ambitions for new season

Flash point

Perez, who took two second places and a third with Sauber in 2012 and has taken more podiums (four) with Force India than any driver, will look to impress but faces a stiff challenge from 21-year-old teammate Esteban Ocon.

The two clashed last year, missing out on a podium in Azerbaijan after a collision that led Force India to impose rules of engagement. Relations are now much better.

"I think we definitely had very intense moments in the team and thankfully everything changed for the good of the team, for the benefit of us," said Perez.

"Now we work well together, in the last races, and I really hope that trend continues. We have to work together, we have to be united to push the team forward and hopefully battle each other for good positions."

The Mexican said everything felt more natural going into his eighth season.

"You are more patient, you know what you need from yourself, how you have to prepare yourself, but every year you learn every single weekend. I learnt so much last year," he said.

"There are still plenty of things that I can improve, to become a stronger driver. I do think that this year I'm going to be stronger than I was last year.

"I'm working on my weaknesses that I had last year and also on my strengths. That helps. With experience you can understand a lot more things."

Fatherhood, said Perez, would not slow him down.

"It's incredible. People can tell you many things but once you live the moment, you get your son, it definitely changes your life," he said of Sergio Perez Jr's arrival.

"I can just see positive changes, as an athlete and as a human being. I am very happy and very stable and with a lot of peace.

"In the car you don't think about if you are a dad or not. You just think about how you can do better and take the next corner faster."