Force India confirms Perez for F1 2019

Sergio Perez will continue to drive for Force India in the 2019 Formula 1 season, having penned an extension to remain with the revitalised team next year. 

Perez revealed at the Belgian Grand Prix he had already agreed a contract for next season and confirmation of the deal was announced by Force India on Thursday ahead of the United States Grand Prix. 

The Mexican, who currently occupies seventh place in the 2018 drivers’ standings on 53 points, will extend his stint at Force India into a sixth campaign. He joined the team ahead of the 2014 season following a difficult and short-lived spell at McLaren the previous year.

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

"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.”

Since joining the team Perez has been one of the most consistent performers of the V6 hybrid era, recording five podiums – including a third-place finish in this year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – and nearly 400 points to help Force India seal back-to-back fourth-place finishes in 2016 and 2017.

Perez was a major factor in setting off Force India’s administration process earlier this year in a bid to help the team overcome its well-documented off-track financial problems.

Force India was subsequently rescued from collapse by a consortium led by Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll, with the team re-submitting an entry to this year’s world championship under the Racing Point Force India name.

“I’m pleased that Sergio will continue his journey with us in 2019," Force India team principal Otmar Szafnauer added.

"Over the last five years, Sergio has confirmed his position as one of the most talented and consistent drivers on the Formula 1 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.”

While there was no announcement regarding Force India's second driver, it is expected Perez will be partnered by Lance Stroll in 2019. The Williams driver is understood to be set to follow his father to the Silverstone-based squad.