Perez insists 2017 plans could be outside Force India

Sergio Perez maintains that he could be driving for another Formula One team than Force India in 2017, despite Vijay Mallya claiming the Mexican has a contract for next year.

Since joining the Silverstone-based team in 2014, Perez has re-established his reputation by securing four podium finishes, including two in Monaco and Baku this year, as well as generally dominating his highly-rated team-mate Nico Hulkenberg.

Team principal Mallya claimed at the British Grand Prix that Force India “signed both [Hulkenberg and Perez] for 2017 well in advance”. However, Perez has repeatedly refused to confirm that the deal was done.

When asked ahead of this weekend’s German GP whether that means he could leave Force India at the end of the current campaign, the Mexican replied: “Yes.”

“The decision is not only down to me, I'm a lucky driver to have so much support. If we move around teams, we take the decision together with the group of sponsors that I have.

“That decision has not been taken.”

Perez has already said that he has been willing to focus on his driving during July’s busy F1 schedule, but the 26-year-old looks to have his 2017 plans sorted by next month’s Belgian Grand Prix.

“I hope I can come back after the summer break knowing what the future holds for me, that would be ideal. But you never know in this business.

"My deals are not so simple, I have a lot of sponsors that have to do deals so it takes longer than if I was another driver going into another team or doing just a contract with Force India.”

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