Perez reportedly set for Lotus move

Sergio Perez is set to be unveiled as the second Lotus driver for the 2016 Formula 1 season, La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported.

Even though the Renault buyout is said to be imminent, it is believed Frenchman Romain Grosjean is departing the Enstone team for Haas-Ferrari.

At the same time, Mexican Perez was thought to be staying at Force India next year, but the Silverstone based team has confirmed only Nico Hulkenberg for 2016 so far.

Also a former McLaren and Sauber driver, 25-year-old Perez retains strong Mexican backing, headed by the well-known billionaire Carlos Slim.

Lotus has already announced that Pastor Maldonado, the controversial Venezuelan driver with reportedly $50 million in PDVSA backing in tow, is staying in 2016.

A vacancy at Mercedes-powered Force India could pave the way for German Pascal Wehrlein to make his F1 debut, although the DTM driver has also been linked with Manor.