Perez extends Force India contract for 2018
Sergio Perez will race for Force India alongside Esteban Ocon in the 2018 Formula 1 season, the team has announced.
Perez, who was on the radar of two rival F1 teams, had hoped to have clarified his future shortly after the summer break but talks between his sponsors and Force India had delayed a deal being agreed.
Force India has now reached an arrangement with all parties, leading to Perez staying on with the outfit for a fifth season.
"Staying with Sahara Force India was always my priority," said Perez. "It's a team that has allowed me to show my talents as a driver and I feel very happy here.
"I'm proud of everything we have already achieved together and I think there is more to come. The team has done an amazing job this year to develop the car and establish our position as the fourth best team in Formula 1.
"In the end it was an easy decision to continue our journey together."
The deal is believed to be for one year, giving Perez options for next season when seats at Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are potentially available.
Team boss Vijay Mallya added: "Sergio has played an important role in our success story over the last few years.
"Since joining us in 2014, he has matured to become one of the quickest and most consistent drivers on the grid. His track record speaks for itself as the most successful Force India driver ever with four podiums.
"Alongside Esteban, retaining Sergio gives us stability going into next season and one of the most exciting driver pairings in Formula 1."
The announcement means just McLaren, Williams, Toro Rosso and Sauber have yet to confirm their line-ups for next season.
Share Or Save This Story
Sirotkin, Stroll to have two race engineers each
Hamilton "sacrifice" saved Mercedes an hour of testing
Kubica regrets being "too honest" about driving limitations
Report: Sergio Perez's management in Williams talks as Carlos Sainz's future remains unclear
Sergio Perez explains what is holding Cadillac back in F1 2026
David Croft praises Cadillac's no-excuses approach after F1 Hungarian GP
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
How to watch IndyCar 2026 at Markham: Weekend schedule, start time, TV
Mirko Bortolotti disqualified from Oschersleben DTM win as Grasser appeals
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants more drivers hosting podcasts
Kyle Petty explains what impressed him most about Ty Gibbs’s win at Iowa
Could McLaren follow Red Bull’s path with its own F1 engine – and should it?
Top 10 rookie seasons in F1
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments