Sergio Perez reckons Sauber, with its Ferari ties and “great team leader”, could be the team to watch in 2019 – and he’s not the only one bigging up Sauber’s chances.

Last year, linking up with Alfa Romeo, Sauber recovered from a wretched 2017 to finish eighth with 48 points on the board.

Such was the team’s on-track improvements that they secured Kimi Raikkonen for the upcoming campaign with Ferrari protege Antonio Giovinazzi joining the Finn.

Perez believes Sauber could surprise in 2019.

He told Motorsport.com: “Sauber is a great team.

“They went through a very difficult period for a couple of years, but now I think with the Ferrari relationship they are coming back.