Force India has ended speculation surrounding Sergio Perez’s future by confirming that the Mexican will compete alongside Nico Hulkenberg in 2017.
Despite Force India team boss Vijay Mallya announcing as early as the British Grand Prix that Perez was locked in for 2017, the former McLaren driver had repeatedly refused to confirm such a deal was in place. Force India then said the commercial aspects of agreements with Perez's sponsors were still to be finalised, but the team confirmed to F1i in Malaysia this has now been done.
Perez’s name has been a prominent one on the rumour mill of this year’s F1 silly season in the light of impressive performances that saw him bag two podium finishes in Monaco and Baku.
With Perez’s sponsors also involved in the decision-making process, the Mexican had said in recent weeks that he wanted to stay in Force India but issued an ultimatum to the team ahead of this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix due to protracted talks between the Silverstone-based outfit and his backers.
The 26-year-old was initially tipped as Kimi Raikkonen’s successor at Ferrari until the Scuderia re-signed the Finn for another season. He was then said to be in frame for a drive at Renault but reportedly turned down an offer from the French manufacturer. Perez was also believed to be in line for Felipe Massa’s vacant seat at Williams.
The latest rumours sent him to Haas - with an eye towards impressing Ferrari ahead of 2018 - in a swap with fellow countryman Esteban Gutierrez.
It seems the last hurdles have been cleared with Perez set to team up with Hulkenberg for a fourth consecutive season at Force India.
Force India is currently locked in a battle with Williams for fourth place in the constructors' championship, which would represent the team's best-ever finish if it were to achieve fourth.
GALLERY: Magnussen's fire at the Malaysian Grand Prix
Silbermann says ... Bugged by Liberty
Romain Grosjean exclusive column: Haas can build momentum for 2017
Chris Medland's 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix preview
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
