Perez has 2019 F1 deal signed, announcement soon

Sergio Perez says he has signed a deal for the 2019 Formula 1 season and expects an official announcement to come shortly.

The Mexican is expected to remain at the rebranded Racing Point Force India squad for a sixth campaign, possibly alongside Lance Stroll, after his father Lawrence Stroll led a consortium to save the team from administration.

Perez played a prominent role in instigating the administration process as he took legal action against the Silverstone-based outfit after revealing he was asked by team members to help save Force India following long-running financial difficulties.

“For me, I already know what I will be doing next year, but I cannot communicate it yet,” Perez told media during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. “It’s signed, I cannot communicate it.”

When asked if he felt an announcement was likely to come ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Perez replied: “Who knows, probably. I don't think it'll be long from now. We are not in a hurry."

Perez headed teammate Esteban Ocon in fifth as the pair sealed a superb double points finish for Force India at Spa, after both drivers starred in a wet qualifying session to secure a second-row lock-out.

The result lifted the rebranded Force India squad up to ninth in the constructors’ championship after it forfeited its previous points tally and Perez hopes the newly-bought team will start to see the benefits of its fresh funds relate to on-track performance in the near-future.

He said an update that was previously expected should now arrive in time for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix next month.

“Singapore is actually the one that was expected already,” he explained. “It was in the programme. We’re getting a good one for Singapore.

“I think we should be looking really for the new owners, the start of the next year should be the target to really kick out new things and try to be on a much higher level.”