Sauber faces 'tough' fight in final races, according to Sergio Perez

The Swiss team is currently seventh in the standings, nine points behind Force India and three ahead of Scuderia Toro Rosso and has scored only five points in the last six races.

But Perez is optimistic that Sauber will be points contenders in this weekend's Indian Grand Prix after enduring an uncompetitive weekend in Korea, where set-up problems held the team back.

"It will be very tough," Perez told AUTOSPORT. "The other teams have made an improvement towards the end of the season.

"But we will really see our potential here and where we are in terms of performance. The track should suit us better and I'm optimistic that we can fight for points.

"Hopefully, we can have a good final three races and finish sixth and that is our aim. Toro Rosso will be very strong in the last races, but we will see."

The Mexican is also keen to finish the season strongly on a personal level as despite an impressive maiden season, he has scored only 13 points and lies 16th in the drivers' standings.

He believes that a good end to the season will allow him to secure a championship position more representative of his performance level.

"What matters is only the points that you have at the end of the season," said Perez. "Hopefully I can score in the last three races to improve my position.

"I've been extremely unlucky as well with many failures when I was in a good position. But I'm optimistic for the last three races."