Force India expects "painful" start to 2015 Formula 1 season

The Silverstone-based squad's 2015 car did not hit the track until the second day of the final pre-season test at Barcelona, meaning it only completed three days of running before this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

But although expectations for the season are high, with the Mexican highlighting the start of the European season in Spain in May as the start of the team's big development push, Perez ruled out a strong start to the campaign.

"We are not where we were expecting to be in terms of pace for the first race, but we have got to look forward," said Perez.

"It's going to be a painful start of the year, but I am sure we will get to where we want to be very soon.

"From the start of the season in general, we are not expecting big things.

"If we are able to score a couple of points from here up to Europe, that will be a mega job from the team.

"It's not ideal but the season is very long and I'm confident that once we get this car running, we will be able to find performance."

Perez is confident in the potential of the car, even though it currently lacks performance.

While testing was limited, he insists that the team has a good understanding of what needs to be done to increase downforce and therefore move up the grid.

"The good thing is that we have identified the issues of the car and we can go forward from that," said Perez.

"The aero department is trying to find solutions for us as soon as possible.

"The whole team is really motivated and there is a big reason for that now, because the season is really long and anything can happen."

Team-mate Nico Hulkenberg accepts that he heads into the weekend with little in the way of expectations, but he feels points could be on offer if the team can get its cars to the finish cleanly.

"There are not too many expectations, it's just a matter of starting our work here and seeing how we get on," said Hulkenberg.

"Obviously our focus is on the race; one-lap pace could be quite difficult but in the races we get points so we need to try and be ready there, make no mistakes and try to capitalise."