Sergio Perez sticks with Force India F1 team as seats for 2016 fill up

Sergio Perez has committed to Force India for the 2016 season, it was announced tonight.

The 25 year old Mexican has raced for Sauber, McLaren and Force India during his five year career and was rumoured to be considering a switch to the new Renault team, which is expected to emerge from the current Lotus F1 team. Pastor Maldonado was confirmed as one of that team's drivers on Sunday night, but the other current Lotus star Romain Grosjean is believed to be headed to the new Haas F1 team.

Perez indicated in the FIA press conference in Singapore last weekend that he planned to stay and was finalising some details on his Force India contract. Perez and Hulkenberg make a stable and reliable line up. He is an established F1 driver who is fairly consistent and also brings a sponsor roster worth in the region of €10m a season to the team. He has scored four career podiums with Sauber and Force India.

He has had a strong run of results lately, with three consecutive points finishes. That makes it eight pointers finishes in totla out of 13 starts and a total of 39 points on the board. Team mate Nico Hulkenberg has just 30pts.

Force India are headed for their best ever constructors' championship finish of 5th, while Perez is currently 9th in the drivers standings - the best placed non Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull or Williams driver.

Although he's been dominated by Hulkenberg in qualifying (it is 9-4 to the German), Perez is one of the best race starters this season; he has made places on the opening lap of the last 6 races in a row – including 3 places on the first lap in Singapore, and 5 places in Hungary.

Perez said: “I am very happy to confirm that I will be staying with Sahara Force India. It means I can simply focus on the important stuff – driving the car and scoring points for the team. Since coming here I’ve really grown as a driver and I feel I’m performing at my best. I’ve always said I want to establish myself in a team and it’s the right moment to announce my commitment for the future with Sahara Force India. I can feel the potential in the team and there is a good energy, which gives me confidence for next year. I think we can continue to deliver strong results and I will do my best to help drive the team forward. I also want to say 'thank you' to Telmex and Telcel for their continued support, which has played an important role in my journey over the last ten years.”

Perez is important to the F1 grid as the Mexican Grand Prix is returning to the calendar on November 1. His fellow countryman Esteban Gutierrez is expected to return to the F1 grid next season with Haas F1. He is currently Ferrari reserve driver.

Force India is also believed to be considering a reserve and Friday practice driver role for Mercedes protege Esteban Ocon (above), who beat Max Verstappen to the Euro F3 title last season and who has tested for Force India. He is highly regarded by Force India's engineering staff.