Force India retains Perez for 2018
Force India has announced that they will retain Sergio Perez for 2018, partnering Esteban Ocon for a second season.
The duo have endured an acrimonious first season as team-mates, with collisions during the Azerbaijan and Belgian Grand Prix serving to elevate intra-team tensions.
Regardless, Force India maintained their wish to retain both drivers, who are on course to propel the team to their equal best finish of fourth place in the constructors’ standings in 2017. Force India is currently on 113 points – 58 points clear of closest rivals Williams.
2018 will be Perez’s fifth season with Force India. The announcement ends speculation of a possible move to Williams.
“Staying with Sahara Force India was always my priority,” Perez stated. “It’s a team that has allowed me to show my talents as a driver and I feel very happy here.
“I’m proud of everything we have already achieved together and I think there is more to come. The team has done an amazing job this year to develop the car and establish our position as the fourth best team in Formula 1.
“In the end it was an easy decision to continue our journey together.”
The deal is suspected to be a one-year extension, allowing Perez to be a factor in what is anticipated to be a fluid driver market in 2019. Seats at Mercedes and Ferrari are potentially available.
Perez has previously stated that it is his ambition to join Ferrari in the future, having been part of their driver academy.
Force India team boss Vijay Mallya added, “Since joining us in 2014, Perez has matured to become one of the quickest and most consistent drivers on the grid.
“His track record speaks for itself as the most successful Force India driver ever with four podiums.
“Alongside Esteban, retaining Sergio gives us stability going into next season and one of the most exciting driver pairings in Formula 1.”
Toro Rosso, Sauber, Williams and McLaren are the only remaining teams yet to announce their 2018 driver line-ups.