Sergio Perez says his confidence in the future potential of Racing Point was why he showed little interest in rejoining McLaren for 2019.
Following his strong performances with Sauber in 2012, the Mexican was chosen to replace Lewis Hamilton at the British team the following year but his stay would only last a season before being dropped in favour of Kevin Magnussen.
Since then, Perez has found a home at the newly re-named Racing Point, formerly Force India, and having played a key role in their survival last summer, now wants to remain part of their future.
“McLaren is a great team but it is lacking a bit of time, what convinced me more is the future here,” said the 28-year-old.
“I’ve been so many years in this team, I feel so comfortable and I see a bright future. I got involved so much with the team, with the administration process, new ownership and so on, so I felt that there is more that I have to do for this team and I was very happy to commit for another year.
“I am ready to put all my best years in the team and ready to go together to the next step. That is the main target for us.”
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Despite all the off-track uncertainty and curtailed car development, Racing Point would have still finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship last year had they kept the points pre-Spa and that, Perez thinks, further proves the team’s ability.
“I was surprised about our performance, you know, how close we are, including all the issues we had,” he said. “We should be nowhere by now.
“But to be where we are right now, it is impressive, and I think everyone should be very worried for next year on us.
“Now it’s the time when we all have to deliver on another level. We have to release all the potential and that is a big thing for us. We have to be ready, all the team, to go to the next step.”