Formula One: Sahara Force India on track for first GP as Perez sets fastest lap time at Bahrain Test

Sahara Force India enjoyed a pretty good F1 racing season in 2013. The team finished 6th overall in the constructors' championship, amassing 77 points and beating the likes of Ferrari-powered teams, Sauber and Torro Rosso. The duo of Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil finished the season in 12th and 13th positions respectively in the drivers' championship.

 

For the 2014 season of Formula One, Sahara Force India has roped in two new drivers - Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg. The team signed the now ex-McLaren driver, Sergio, back in December 2013 for a sum of €15 million.

 

This 'Mexican Wunderkind' has been a subject of criticism from many corners of the sport and some even say that he's a bit over-rated. No such issues come packaged with Force India's second driver, Nico Hulkenberg, who is unanimously hailed as a natural racing talent. Nicknamed 'The Hulk', Nico was with Sahara Force India through 2011-2012, and joins the Indian racing outfit for the 2014 season moving from Sauber.

 

The first day of the final pre-season test in Bahrain witnessed Sergio Perez of Force India setting the fastest time. The Mexican recorded a time of 1m 35.290s in the morning session piloting his Mercedes-powered VJM07 around the Sakhir circuit. The day also saw many teams choosing to concentrate on doing longer stints and raking in as many laps as possible. While Mercedes remained in good shape, Redbull continued to struggle with its 2014 contender and could manage only 176 laps through the 9 days of testing. Compare that to Williams that managed two-thirds of that total today alone. The other Mercedes-powered cars like Williams, Force India and McLaren all dialed in more than 100 laps each while Mercedes managed 89 laps.