Perez extends Racing Point F1 spell with three-year deal

Racing Point has announced Sergio Perez will continue with the team until the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season, having agreed a fresh multi-year contract.

The Mexican driver has been at the former Force India squad since the start of the 2014 season after a move to McLaren turned out to be unsuccessful, and he has proved to be one of the standout midfield performers since.

Scoring five podium finishes, Perez helped the team progress up F1’s pecking order and seal back-to-back fourth place finishes in the constructors’ championship between 2016 and 2017, which remains the Silverstone-based outfit’s best result in the sport.

Perez signed a one-year contract extension last year and was keen to ensure his next deal was a long-term option. He currently sits 16th in the drivers’ championship having recorded 13 points so far this year, with Racing Point occupying eighth spot in the constructors’.

“I’m very excited to extend my partnership with the team for the next three years," he said.

"I’ve been working together with this group of people for a long time now and they have become my second family. Together we have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success and we share the same passion for racing.

"I have been impressed with the direction the team has taken over the last twelve months and that gives me confidence for the future. I believe the best times are still to come and I look forward to celebrating plenty of podiums in the years ahead.”

Racing Point also confirmed that Lance Stroll would remain with the team as expected going into 2020, retaining an unchanged line-up. 

Racing Point CEO and team principal Otmar Szafnauer added: “We know Sergio very well and it’s great to confirm him on a long-term deal.

"Over the last six years we have seen him become a very complete driver with excellent qualifying speed and exceptional race craft. Sergio believes in the long-term vision of this project and getting his commitment until the end of 2022 gives us valuable consistency going forward.

"As the team continues to grow and develop it’s important to have a driver with Sergio’s level of experience, especially with new regulations on the horizon. The whole team is thrilled to continue working with Sergio and I believe we can enjoy great success together in the coming years.”