Perez to announce 2017 Renault move pre-Singapore?
Sergio Perez is expected to confirm a move to Renault for 2017 before the Singapore Grand Prix, Read Motorsport understands.
The Mexican has been tight-lipped over where he will be driving next season, though did say in Belgium he expected an announcement ‘before the start of the races in Asia’.
His future with current team Force India has been subject to speculation for a while and earlier this month deputy boss Bob Fernley admitted Perez’s sponsors were in talks with other teams.
Prior to the British Grand Prix, Ferrari was believed to be an option. Talks had taken place but Kimi Raikkonen was hastily re-signed for 2017 at the request of company president Sergio Marchionne.
An approach to the Williams team, who look increasingly likely to have at least one new driver next year, was also reported.
However, during the summer break, a deal with Renault appears to have been struck.
The potential of the French marquee was a determining factor in Perez and his sponsor’s decision. Renault is to increase investment in their F1 team after making better-than-expected progress with their power unit and a healthy amount of Mexican backing could well form part of that extra funding.
CEO Carlos Ghosn had set a five-year plan to be fighting for the world championship again, though the new rules for 2017 also provide an opportunity to expediate that goal.
Perez will likely replace Jolyon Palmer who has underwhelmed once given the opportunity to race in F1. The former GP2 champion has yet to score a point this season and suffered from several notable incidents including crashing out in Monaco.
At the same time, Checo’s own reputation has continued to rise with an impressive run of five consecutive points finishes earlier in the year, including two podiums in Monaco and Baku.
Perez is currently eighth place in the Drivers’ championship, after another strong showing at Spa, and is 13 points clear of his highly regarded teammate Nico Hulkenberg.
At 26 years old, the Mexican has plenty of experience but also still has time to fulfil the potential he showed before a tumultuous move to McLaren in 2013.
Ultimately, while Force India have made great progress and currently sit fourth in the Constructors’ standings, Perez and his sponsors still have championship ambitions to strive for.
Whether Renault is the team that can allow the Mexican to meet those ambitions remains to be seen. Certainly, closing the current mammoth gap to the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull will require a herculean effort from the squad at Enstone.
As for Force India, Fernley has also admitted that the team would have no replacement ready if Perez decided to leave.
However, Pascal Wehrlein, who is linked with the team’s engine supplier Mercedes and has tested with Force India before, could well be a strong candidate.
As could Esteban Gutierrez with Perez’s fellow countryman sharing much of the same backing. Replacing Mexican with Mexican would also be a low-risk option to maintain the team’s financial status.