Confirmed: Perez commits to Force India F1 for 2019

As anticipated, Racing Point Force India have confirmed that Sergio Perez will continue to race for the team in the 2019 season.

As anticipated, Racing Point Force India have confirmed that Sergio Perez will continue to race for the team in the 2019 season.

The 28-year-old is the longest-serving Force India driver – approaching 100 starts for the team – and will join them for a sixth season.

The Mexican driver has been the favourite to secure one of the seats at the team ever since he and his management team were involved in the legal proceedings which triggered the team’s change in ownership.

He had been owed around $4m, but this has since been paid off, and the new deal means that he is all-but-certain to partner Lance Stroll – who is yet to be officially announced – at the team next season.

“I am very happy to finally announce my future and I’m really motivated for 2019. Force India has been my home since 2014 and has allowed me to grow as a driver and show my skills on track,” said Perez.

“We have achieved so much success in the last five seasons but I think the best is yet to come. The new investment the team is enjoying fills me with confidence and I am really excited about the future.”

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer added: “I’m pleased that Sergio will continue his journey with us in 2019. Over the last five years, Sergio has confirmed his position as one of the most talented and consistent drivers on the Formula One grid.

“He gives us valuable stability going forward and is a huge asset to the team. As we begin an exciting new chapter in the life of this team, we are delighted that Sergio will race with us going forward.”

Force India have taken six podium finishes since their debut season in 2008, five of which were claimed by Perez, who has taken at least one podium every year since he joined in 2014, with the exception of the 2017 season.

He’s finished in seventh place in the drivers’ championship (an unofficial ‘best of the rest’) in 2016 and 2017, and currently occupies seventh in this year’s contest, tied on points with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg.

Whilst officially there are three seats left to fill for 2019, one of those will be Lance Stroll’s Force India seat. Unofficially, there are two seats remaining; one at Toro Rosso and one at Williams.

By: Luke Murphy

All images: Motorsport Images

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