Abu Dhabi GP: Sergio Perez fears tyres will limit Sauber's progress

The Mexican is confident that he has the speed to fight for a position in the lower reaches of the top 10, but with tyre degradation negligible, it will be hard work to make up positions.

"I'm expecting a very difficult race due to the low degradation and people doing the same strategies," Perez told AUTOSPORT.

"But we expect the Mercedes [of eighth-place starter Nico Rosberg] which is quite high up to struggle so maybe we can make up some positions.

"We are in a good position. Our race pace is good, so we should be strong.

"That [fighting for eighth] should be the target for us."

The Mexican admitted that he finds the races more interesting when tyre degradation is a bigger variable.

He anticipates that few drivers will make more than a single stop.

"Pirelli has been quite conservative for the last races, where people will make one pitstop," said Perez.

"I expect to do an easy one-stop.

"Tyres will degrade a bit but I don't see many going for two stops. It will be an interesting race but degradation will be very low.

"Normally, it's a lot more interesting when you have more degradation."

Click here for AUTOSPORT F1 editor Edd Straw's view on the effect low-degradation races are having on the Formula 1 show