Sergio Perez was the boy who kicked the hornet’s nest when he triggered Force India’s administration late last month, but the Mexican is confident he will be on the Formula 1 grid in 2019, whether he will don pink next year remains to be seen.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Perez said, “For me, it’s business as usual. I am here to drive and do my job. Looking forward to enjoying the weekend and focusing on the driving. That’s my priority.”
A Lawrence Stroll led consortium is in the throes of an apparently complicated takeover of the team where his son will race next year after a woeful season with Williams.
The smart money is on experienced Perez staying on board, the Mexican confirmed, “I know what I’m doing for next year, so when there is a time to communicate, I think I will communicate.”
“Actually everything is very much completed, so it’s just a matter of timing right now. I think there are other priorities than communicating what my future is, so we’re here racing, focusing on Spa.”
“As I said it’s just a matter of time before I’m able to confirm, but for now, I know what I’m doing for next year, so no more to say on that,” added Perez.
Perez has no regrets about getting the legal ball rolling to ultimately save the beleaguered Silverstone based outfit, “I think the team is quite optimistic, quite happy.”
“We can see a release on the upgrades coming for the future, we see a different structure, and financially the team has a much more stable future for the coming years.”
“I was at the factory in the week, and the people I was seeing, there was a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of positiveness going forwards, so definitely a good signal.”
“I’m just a driver and I’m here to perform at my best, and it’s been quite difficult the last couple of months – I’m able to focus now on being a racing driver.”
The nature of this year’s effervescent Silly Season has been such that the Mexican was also linked to Renault until Daniel Ricciardo took that seat, talk of a return to McLaren probably had source in the Mexican media while Haas reportedly remains a very real possibility for Perez.
Big Question: Should Force India keep Sergio alongside Lance in 2019?