Perez close to finalising new Racing Point F1 deal

Sergio Perez says he is just “a matter of time” away from sealing a fresh contract with the Racing Point Formula 1 squad.

Perez has been at the former Force India outfit since the start of the 2014 season following his exit from McLaren, with his current deal expiring at the end of the current campaign.

But speaking ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Perez revealed continuing with Racing Point into 2020 is his “priority”, adding a new deal is in the process of being finalised.

“I think things are settling down, my priority will be to continue with the team,” Perez said.

“It’s not done, not done yet. We are finalising it but you know in Formula 1 until it’s done it’s never done.

“As I see very good prospects for the future so I look forward to it.”

Asked if negotiations with his personal backers are holding up a formal announcement, Perez replied: “It takes a bit longer, my deals, due to that, so I think it should be a matter of time.”

The Mexican penned a new one-year contract with Racing Point last season but is keen to ensure his next deal is a longer-term agreement.

“I think now the prospect and the ambitions of the team is very good, I think it will be very good to get a long-term deal here because I see that the team is going forwards,” Perez explained.

“I think it works both ways well, and we ideally would like to commit for a long-term deal, so hopefully we can work out the terms and everything.

“When you look around it’s definitely a good place to be,” he added. “I’ve been very long with the team.

“I remember what a weekend I had last year and the administration process, I had all that here last year, so to come back here after one year and see where the team is and where the team is heading to I feel very proud of that.

“I definitely haven’t finished business, although I’ve been a long time with the team, I see more to come.”