Perez re-signs with Force India for 2018

Sergio Perez will remain at Force India for the 2018 Formula 1 world championship to see an unchanged line-up at the team for next year.

With Esteban Ocon already announced as staying at Force India for next season, Perez has also re-signed for 2018 having joined the Silverstone-based squad in 2014 from McLaren. The Mexican driver has clinched four podiums since joining Force India and narrowly missed out on the rostrum at the Spanish Grand Prix this year with his fourth place finish.

Force India team principal Vijay Mallya has heralded the Perez and Ocon line-up as ‘one of the most exciting driver pairings in F1’ – despite the pair coming to blows on three occasions already this year.

After Ocon was denied a shot at the podium by not being allowed to pass Perez in Canada, the pair collided during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix which caused Perez’s first retirement since the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The pair also clashed at Spa-Francorchamps which enforced a change of driver code at Force India but Mallya is convinced the pair will work strongly together over the next 18 months.

“Sergio has played an important role in our success story over the last few years,” Mallya said. “Since joining us in 2014, he 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 One.”

Perez is thrilled to re-sign for Force India having defended the team’s fourth place in the F1 world constructors’ championship and is aiming to ‘show my talents as a driver’ in 2018.

“Staying with Sahara Force India was always my priority,” Perez said. “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 One. In the end it was an easy decision to continue our journey together.”