Sergio Perez believes his former team Sauber can enjoy improved performance in the 2019 Formula 1 season.
Perez will be part of the newly-established Racing Point team this year – rebranded from Force India – but he still keeps a close eye on Sauber, who he drove for in 2011 and 2012.
Related: Raikkonen Defends Sauber Switch
Sauber have brought in F1 star Kimi Raikkonen from Ferrari over the close season and they are expected to be pushing up the grid.
Perez believes the new relationship with Ferrari will also give his old side an edge this year. “Sauber is a great team,” he said in Autosport.
“They went through a very difficult period for a couple of years, but now I think with the Ferrari relationship they are coming back. “You see Fred [Vasseur] is a great team leader and I think they are making great progress.
“They are definitely the team to watch. Next year they are going to be quite high up. I am looking forward for that.”
