Perez confirms 2019 Force India deal

Force India have confirmed the long-anticipated news that Sergio Perez will eb retained as a driver in 2019. Perez is expected to be joined at the team by Lance Stroll next year, following the takeover by the Canadian's billionaire father Lawrence.

Perez has raced for Force India since 2014, scoring five podiums, most recently at this year's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The Mexican was heavily involved in the team's plunge into administration over F1s summer break in 2018 – action taken by his management company effectively prompted the move, but Perez later revealed he had been asked to do so by senior management in order to protect jobs.

Stroll's pending arrival means Force India effectively had to choose between their 2018 line-up, and Esteban Ocon is likely facing a year off the F1 grid as a result.

But Perez is only looking forward, and hopes that the investment made by Stroll can take the team that finished fourth in 2016 and 2017's constructor's championships to the next level.

“I am very happy to finally announce my future and I’m really motivated for 2019. Force India has been my home since 2014 and has allowed me to grow as a driver and show my skills on track" - @SChecoPerez

Full Story: https://t.co/qoHarRVb4X pic.twitter.com/10lPFC2EuJ — Racing Point Force India F1 (@ForceIndiaF1) October 18, 2018

Perez said: "I am very happy to finally announce my future and I’m really motivated for 2019.

"Force India has been my home since 2014 and has allowed me to grow as a driver and show my skills on track.

"We have achieved so much success in the last five seasons but I think the best is yet to come. The new investment the team is enjoying fills me with confidence and I am really excited about the future."

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