Sergio Perez says Sauber just missing a bif of luck this season

The Hinwil-based team delivered its biggest points haul of the season in Germany last weekend, with Kamui Kobayashi finishing fourth and Perez a further two places back - with it now targeting a top five place in the constructors' championship.

Perez is bullish that it can repeat the kind of form it showed in Germany - but that its chances will depend on it delivering a weekend where it does not slip up.

"I think the problem we were having was with luck, basically," explained Perez when asked by AUTOSPORT about the lack of consistent results this season.

"The team and myself, we've been consistent, but we've had bad luck. For example, in Shanghai where we had a problem with the front wing, when I was fighting for a podium after Malaysia, and then in Barcelona I was P4 and then we had a puncture right at the start.

"In Monaco, we were really strong in qualifying. I think we could fight for a top-five in qualifying, and I had a problem with the steering wheel and I went straight into the wall. I started last, but I finished 11th.

"I think the season has been very up and down because of that, but not because we have done mistakes. Lately in the last two qualifying we already made a mistake and did not get the maximum out of the car, but then in the race we got them back.

"Now, I think it's time to really put everything together and fight for really strong points."

Perez believes the fact he was able to charge through from 17th on the grid in Germany to finish sixth showed he had the pace to battle for the win if he was at the front of the grid - which makes it more vital than ever the team gets qualifying sorted.

"I think the last two weekends, in the qualifying, it has been the wrong calls at crucial moments," he said.

"At Silverstone I was P1 in Q2 with six minutes remaining, and we made the wrong call and went for inters. Then in Hockenheim, I went out a bit late and I was behind all the backmarkers.

"So I think it's not luck, it's a matter of making the right calls together with the team and then I think we will be OK in any conditions."