Sergio Perez: Force India keep Mexican driver for 2019 Formula 1 season

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Sergio PerezImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Force India are seventh in the constructors' championship, despite losing the 59 points Sergio Perez (front) and Esteban Ocon picked up in the opening 12 races of the season before the team went into administration

Sergio Perez will stay with Force India for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

The 28-year-old Mexican has been with the team since 2014 and is seventh in the drivers' championship with seven points finishes in the past nine races.

Perez has been credited with fending off a winding-up petition against the team by starting administration proceedings earlier this year, saving all 405 jobs at their Silverstone base.

"I'm very happy to finally announce my future," said Perez.

"We've achieved so much success in the last five seasons but I think the best is yet to come."

Perez's team-mate next season is expected to be Williams' Lance Stroll, son of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll - the man who led the takeover of the team by a consortium in the summer.

The administration proceedings were triggered by Perez - who was owed salary payments - as part of an agreement with management to save the team, which was in financial difficulties related to the legal problems of then-owner Vijay Mallya.

In return, Perez was guaranteed a seat in 2019 at Force India, for whom his Mexican sponsorship backing is important.

"The new investment the team is enjoying fills me with confidence and I'm really excited about the future," said Perez, who came third in Azerbaijan in April and fifth in Belgium in August.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Five of Sergio Perez's eight career podium finishes have come while he has been at Force India

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer said: "I'm pleased that Sergio will continue his journey with us in 2019. Over the last five years he has confirmed his position as one of the most talented and consistent drivers on the Formula 1 grid."

Frenchman Esteban Ocon, Perez's current team-mate, is 11th in the drivers' championship, four points behind Perez, but faces an uncertain future in the sport.

The Mercedes-contracted driver could be without a seat in F1 next year, although he has been in talks with Williams, who are yet to confirm who will partner 20-year-old Briton George Russell.

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United States Grand Prix coverage details

Date

Session

Time

Radio coverage

Online text commentary

Thursday, 18 October

Preview

19:30 20:00

BBC Radio 5 live

Friday, 19 October

First practice

15:55-17:35

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

From 15:30

Second practice

19:55-21:35

BBC Sport online

From 19:30

Saturday, 20 October

Final practice

18:55-20:05

BBC Sport online

From 18:30 (continuous)

Qualifying

21:55-23:05

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Sunday, 21 October

Race

19:00-21:00

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From 17:30

Monday, 22 October

Review

04:30-05:00

BBC Radio 5 live

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