Sergio Perez is hoping to secure his 2018 seat on the Formula 1 grid during the upcoming summer break, with the Mexican once again considering his options.
This time one year ago, it was thought the 27-year-old would be on his way to Renault with talks between his sponsors and the French manufacturer taking place before the driver himself opted to remain at Force India.
This year, the Enstone outfit could be on the radar again as could Ferrari, the team he was once a member of in their academy, with the future of Kimi Raikkonen currently unknown.
It is believed negotiations with Force India over a potential fifth year with the team are already underway and commenting on the situation in Budapest on Thursday, Perez claimed: “In terms of my future, I hope that once I come back to the next race after the summer break I can have a new contract.”
On whether he wants to stay with the current fourth placed team in the Constructors’ standings, he added: “That will be good, but you never know what will happen.
“I think the team has been moving forward every year, although this year we are achieving the same position as the previous year.
“We have consolidated that place and I see the team is moving forward.
“There is a lot more interest and sponsorship in the team, but it is not easy to make the next step with the big boys or big teams.”
And it is that ambition to join a team that can offer more in terms of being able to fight for wins and championships that could still tempt the seven-time podium sitter away for 2018.
The best example of the current predicament for Perez is that despite another very impressive year, he is yet to stand on a podium and only sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, despite scoring in eight of the 10 races so far, while Max Verstappen in sixth has failed to finish in five.
Another factor is the relationship with teammate and Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon, who is on a multi-year deal with Force India. Incidents in Canada, Baku and Silverstone have seen both drivers receive a warning from their bosses and the 20-year-old Frenchman will only continue to improve.
