Perez - Conquering Mercedes' Russian stronghold a "challenge"

Sergio Perez has conceded it will be "a challenge" to overcome Mercedes in Russia where the Silver Arrows are unbeaten in F1.

Mercedes has claimed all seven victories at Sochi since the former winter Olympics venue was added to the F1 calendar in 2014.

With heavy rain threatening to washout Saturday and team-mate Max Verstappen starting at the back of the grid after taking a fourth power unit, Perez is aware the team faces a difficult weekend.

"It's going to be a bit of a challenge," said Perez. "Obviously, they are very, very strong around here but hopefully we are able to give them some pressure, qualify very close to them. That would be ideal."

Perez, though, was off the pace in practice, finishing only 11th quickest at the end of FP2, a second off pacesetter Valtteri Bottas.

"I think there is some potential in the car, we just have to make sure that we get it right," said Perez.

"I think my sector one and sector two looked really good but sector three I did struggle a bit so some interesting bits to look at."

Asked if the weather forecast had altered Red Bull's weekend preparations, Perez explained: "Yeah, of course.

"There are some compromises you might have to do come quali-day but there are still a lot of things to be analysed later on."

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