Perez confident of Racing Point F1 stay amid Vettel rumours

Sergio Perez is confident he will remain with Racing Point despite rumours linking Sebastian Vettel with his seat for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Since being dropped by Ferrari earlier this year, four-time world champion Vettel has been heavily linked with Perez’s Racing Point drive.

Both Perez and Stroll are contracted to drive with the team for next season but the Vettel rumours don’t appear to be disappearing anytime soon.

When asked about the rumours and his future, Perez was buoyant about his chances of remaining at the Silverstone-based outfit for an eighth consecutive campaign. 

"On the rumours with Sebastian, there’s nothing I can do," Perez said in Thursday’s press conference. "What I’ve heard from the team that we all want to keep going, to continue. So I believe it’s just a matter of time before those rumours can go away."

Perez also confirmed he hasn’t spoken to any other team as he believes his future at Racing Point is "quite secure".

"No, not really given that my position with the team looks quite secure and it’s the feeling that I’ve been getting. We’re fully on this package and we want to continue as well."

The Vettel to Racing Point rumours intensified at the end of the British Grand Prix, with the German sharing a lift with team boss Otmar Sznafuner as well as Vettel being spotted elbow bumping team owner Lawrence Stroll.

Perez played both instances down by saying there wasn’t much to read into them.

"I think with Otmar, he’s a proud Ferrari owner, first of all and what do I make of it? Nothing," Perez added. "I think everyone is free to do what they want, especially outside of racing and between the elbow with Lawrence, nothing really to say. I don’t really make anything of it."