Perez is confident Carlos Slim check will be large enough to keep F1 seat (2nd Update)
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| Sergio Perez – have big check (from Carlos Slim), will drive |
His check was indeed big enough, Perez will drive for Force India again in 2015. "I have a two-year contract with Sergio Perez," the principal told reporters at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
"There is nothing to hide. The possibility came of extending Checo's contract into 2016 as well. That is what is under negotiation.
"We are talking about one additional year. We had an option that was signed as part of his original contract, we have exercised the option."
Perez, who joined from McLaren before the start of the season, has said for several races that he expects to stay at Force India but a contract had yet to be signed.
11/02/14 Although Sergio Perez is still waiting on Force India for a new deal, he believes an announcement will be made "very soon."
Perez knows that in Formula 1 nothing is certain until the contract and confirmation are in place.
Last season, racing for McLaren, the Mexican racer was expected to stay on for a second year only to be dropped without any warning.
As such, he's not counting his contracts until team boss Vijay Mallya makes the announcement.
"You have to speak to Vijay – he is the man to know. But yes, we are of course in negotiations and I hope that we will have something to announce very soon," he told the official F1 website.
Asked if his intention was to stay on at Force India, he said: "Yes, definitely.
"It always takes a while till you are fully integrated in a new team – know all the people and their positions and skills – but that period is over now and I feel very comfortable in being a part of Force India.
"Of course the Bahrain podium was a huge door opener, but if you look at my last five races I was in the points in each of them – so yes, I have arrived, and yes, I would like to stay with Force India in 2015." Planet F1
10/21/14 Sergio Perez is confident he will able to announce his 2015 plans within the next week as he looks to remain with Force India for a second season.
On Monday the Silverstone-based team confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg would be retained next year, but who will partner the German is yet to be announced.
Perez moved from Sauber to McLaren in 2013, but he was dropped by the Woking squad after just one season leading to a move to Force India.
After three teams in as many seasons the 24-year-old is hoping to remain with Force India and establish himself within the squad.
"I want to close out my situation," said Perez.
"We're now coming towards the end of the year, and I think in the next week or so it will be done with (regards to) my future. Getting the deal done is now my main priority.
"The only opportunity I had to establish myself in a team was with Sauber in 2012, and I want to do the same here."
If he is retained, Perez will have to adjust to having a new voice in his ear in 2015 when his Race Engineer Gianpiero Lambiase moves to Red Bull.
"I've made really good progress with the team, although I'm losing my Race Engineer for next year.
"It's always a blow when you lose an engineer you have built up a relationship with, but I believe I've enough experience to work with anyone.
"I've also good information on what is going on, how this team works, which will help me be very strong for next year."