New Delhi: McLaren driver Sergio Perez Wednesday said it's a 'shame' that Indian Grand Prix would not be part of the Formula One calendar next year and hoped the event makes a return to the F1 roster in 2015. "It's a shame, we are not having a race for the next year. Hopefully, we return later on. The market is growing, when we come here every year, the interest is getting better.
It's slowly coming up in India and hopefully we can come back here. It's a race we can keep it for 2015 and beyond that," Perez told PTI here. F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone, in a reshuffle of the 2014 calender, chucked out Indian GP which is expected to be part of the 2015 season in the first half.
Ecclestone, the octogenarian F1 Czar, had cited political problems, a veiled reference to tax issues in the country, for dropping the Indian race. Organisers Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) had preferred a slot in October 2014 but eventually agreed for the change.
McLaren are without a win or even a podium this year and are heading towards finishing their first season in 33 years since 1980 without a podium.
Perez has been under immense pressure to lift his performances in recent races after Mexican's below par showing in the 13 races so far this season, including a high-speed accident during Friday's practice session in the Japanese Grand Prix and then a crash with Nico Rosberg in the race. Perez has 22 points, just three more than his Sauber replacement Nico Hulkenberg, and a best finish of sixth place in Bahrain GP.
Driving for Sauber in 2012, Perez, at this stage of the season, had 65 points and three podium finishes, a performance which led to his transfer to McLaren-Mercedes. There have been talks in the circuit that McLaren is seriously considering Perez's future with the team and keen on roping in Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, if not for 2014 season but in the future run.
"Basically, I know my future and position with the team. I am not having any confusion on that. The most important thing is we stay united as a team. It's been a very disappointing season for all of us, for myself, for the whole team. It's a shame that it can end up being one of the worst seasons for us. It's not the best feeling," Perez said.
"We are a winning team. It's has been extremely painful for myself. I am very disappointed. We have to look forward as a team and to ensure that we get stronger for the next season. With regulations changing, we have to make sure we are on top of it and we are able to fight for the championship," he said.
Perez, who had replaced Lewis Hamilton, said he is confident of retaining his place for the 2014 season. "I am confident about my place and the most important thing is to be with the team in these difficult times. When I came from Sauber to McLaren, expectations were lot."
"Of course, when you come to McLaren, expectation is always very high. For me, when I signed for McLaren, they had the best cars at the end of the season. It was looking good. The move was good, but in Formula One, things change very quickly.
"After touching the highs, we now find ourselves in mid traffic. It has been a reality for the whole season. I don't see things changing for the rest of the season. The aim is to get the maximum and try to get some points. It's very difficult to hope for any more than that for this year," Perez added.
Talking about his fellow driver Jenson Button, Perez said, "Jenson has set a benchmark, I really think it's a very important benchmark...looking to get ahead of him during the race weekend." The 2014 season will bring with it some of the biggest changes to Formula One racing's technical regulations for quite some time. Not only is the sport adopting new 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engines, there are also tweaks to the rules concerning aerodynamics and a far greater emphasis on energy recovery systems.
"That's something no one knows until we start the next season. It will be a big challenge for the team, for the drivers. Definitely, we are all looking at the changes," Perez said. The F1 will make a return to Perez's homeland with the Mexican GP and the 23-year-old is excited about it.
"I am very excited about it. For a driver, it's a dream come true to drive in his own country. I am really looking forward to it," he said. Asked about the Buddh International Circuit, Perez said: "Indian circuit is very demanding on tyres. Especially, the front tyres, that means the car is floating. You also have long corners. It's one of the longest races in the whole season."
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