Hulkenburg came into Force India on a massive high. Frequent higher-middle positional fights with Fernando Alonso, impressive performances and the adulation of the casual supporter was his. The next big thing?
Perez came into Force India on a massive low. Backed only by Martin Whitmarsh, he left McLaren in their worst year, no podium, no sniff of a podium. He just edged his seat...
The first two races seemed to confirm Hulkenburg's superiority, but as in 2013, Perez found Bahrain a place to get his hopes up. The Force's first podium since Fisichella's big day at Spa in 2009, and suddenly Perez looks a proper frontrunner in a car that looks far less shabby than we'd been lead to believe.
But, hold on, Hulkenburg is 3rd in a more important place - the Championship. He's been consistent, he's had 3 good finishes and he's still battling with Alonso in every race.
An intriguing battle, then? I must praise Force India, however, for getting the best possible driver line-up for their resources last summer.
Perez came into Force India on a massive low. Backed only by Martin Whitmarsh, he left McLaren in their worst year, no podium, no sniff of a podium. He just edged his seat...
The first two races seemed to confirm Hulkenburg's superiority, but as in 2013, Perez found Bahrain a place to get his hopes up. The Force's first podium since Fisichella's big day at Spa in 2009, and suddenly Perez looks a proper frontrunner in a car that looks far less shabby than we'd been lead to believe.
But, hold on, Hulkenburg is 3rd in a more important place - the Championship. He's been consistent, he's had 3 good finishes and he's still battling with Alonso in every race.
An intriguing battle, then? I must praise Force India, however, for getting the best possible driver line-up for their resources last summer.