Perez to stay with Force India

Sergio Perez has ended speculation regarding his future by agreeing a new contract with Force India.

The Mexican driver had been linked with a potential move to Lotus, with the team in the midst of a takeover by French manufacturer Renault.

That move would see the Enstone team drop Mercedes power for 2016 and switch to Renault power-units.

The 25-year-old made it clear however that Force India was his preferred option and that he was delighted to agree a one-year-deal with a further 12 month option.

‘It [Lotus] was obviously a serious option, but for me I always made my mind clear, knowing the prospects of the team and what we are doing behind the scenes. So that’s why I always wanted to stay, I see no other place better than staying here.’ Perez told Sky Sports.

Stability is often underrated within Formula One, but Perez agreeing a new deal alongside team-mate Nico Hulkenberg will see the team go into a third consecutive season with the same driver line-up.

He continued: ‘I would expect Force India to improve by a lot for next year. Before that we have to finish a very important year for us and at the very least try to maintain our fifth position in the constructors’. Next year we have to aim higher for that,’

‘We have got to aim for teams like Williams, Red Bull. Mercedes and Ferrari are already there [at the front], but we have to aim to get closer to them. We have already done a step over the last couple of months but we need a very big step for this winter.’

Force India are fifth in the current 2015 Formula One World Constructors’ Championship, they are 19 points clear of Lotus and 70 points behind Red Bull Racing.