Australian GP: Perez's first day of F1 2019 practice not good at all

Perez ended both Friday practice sessions in Melbourne in 16th place, trailing new team-mate Lance Stroll by two tenths in FP1 and four tenths in second practice.

"They [the sessions] haven't been great, not good at all," said the Mexican after FP2.

"I think there's a lot of understanding that we need to go through, in detail, and try to come up with the best possible compromise for tomorrow.

"It's very tight, that midfield pack, so anything we can find will be very beneficial for us.

"I'm struggling a bit with balance. So I need to go through it, tyres as well - obviously tyres are a big thing, we have a very cold track in the morning, then a very hot one in the afternoon.

"So, a lot of work to be done."

Asked about Racing Point's position in the pecking order at Albert Park, Perez said: "It's hard to know but I think where probably Lance finished is where we are."

The RP19 was the eighth-quickest F1 car on outright pace on Friday as Stroll ended FP2 in 13th place, 1.411 seconds behind the pacesetting Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

The team has brought a significant update to Melbourne after running a more basic aero specification in testing.

"The nature of the [Melbourne] track is very different to Barcelona - it's bumpier, it's windy today, a bit warmer, so there are some differences," said Stroll, when asked whether the car had been improved since testing.

"But the car overall feels good, the ingredients are there, [we've] just got to make a few adjustments.

"I think we can be right there in the fight."