Force India's drivers reported an immediate improvement with the team's upgrades after the opening practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix.
The team introduced a comprehensive upgrade package for Barcelona which included a new front wing designed to help the team's recent tyre degradation issues. Sergio Perez said the improvement was obvious from the first laps on Friday.
"It's [better] pretty much everywhere," Perez said. "It's mainly medium-to-low speed the traction has improved for us. I'm happy we've made a reasonable step, but I want to see how competitive we can be in qualifying. "Our degredation has improved as well. Obviously we are facing a tough weekend here at this circuit, but if we can get away with some points then it means we have made a massive step forward."
Perez was encouraged by both cars appearing in the top ten during Friday's afternoon's practice session at a circuit where the team has traditionally struggled.
"We've definitely made good progress. The car definitely feels better, and in the main areas where we needed downforce it came. Obviously we always want more, but I feel we have made a reasonable step and to be inside the top 10 at this track means a lot to us. It's our weakest track."
Teammate Nico Hulkenberg shared the Mexican's optimism, saying he felt an immediate improvement with the handling of the car around the Circuit de Catalunya.
"A much better feeling," he said. "The upgrade was a good success. It's definitely a good step forward. We've collected lots of data, obviously it was our first day to put some miles on it, so hopefully we can still optimise a bit more around it, but overall positive."
"You feel it straight away, it's a good step forward ... You know this car inside out now, so with the grip in certain areas you'd expect the rear to come again, and understeer, and this all has got better and more together."