Mexican cagey about hold-up but insists the team aren't talking to anyone else
Monday 24 November 2014 15:14, UK
Sergio Perez is hopeful his future at Force India will be sorted out soon, although the Mexican was coy about the reason for the hold up with his new contract.
Team boss Vijay Mallya said in Brazil he’d exercised their option on Perez and yet no official announcement has been made.
Speaking on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP, however, the driver insisted that things were moving forward. “We’ve done some improvements from the last time we met so I’m optimistic,” said Perez.
“It’s really helped us to move forward, also all the team, and that’s something that makes me proud – that they want to continue.
“Hopefully, quite soon we can do an announcement.”
Perez insisted that Force India are not talking to anyone else “as far as I know” yet was cagey as to why it was taking so long to agree fresh terms.
“We were talking about extending my deal and stuff. Obviously it’s a contract so it’s difficult to give too much detail on that,” he said.
“All I can say is that we have moved forward and hopefully really soon we can do an announcement and share my plans.”
Perez also discussed the situation at McLaren, who've now said that they won't announce their 2015 line-up until December 1st at the earliest.
He was, of course, passed over by McLaren in favour of Kevin Magnussen at the end of last year - with the Dane and Jenson Button now in the firing line as the Woking team edge back towards Fernando Alonso.
“It must be a very difficult situation as a driver, coming into the last race and not knowing if you’re going to be here next year or not," Perez said.
“I think it’s going to be very late for any of them. If they decide to take Button or Kevin, probably one of them won’t be here next year."
Of his own experience 12 months ago, Perez added: “They always told me I was going to stay! They did talk to me but they were not bringing the right message at that time.
“That was pretty late in the season so I was very lucky to find a seat - and a good seat.”
