Racing Point "clarity" would have helped Sergio Perez search for a "plan B"

Sergio Perez

Racing Point "clarity" would have helped Perez search for a "plan B"

Perez will depart Racing Point at the end of 2021

Sam Hall

Friday 18 September 2020 09:50

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Sergio Perez believes if he had received clarity earlier about the driver situation at Racing Point it would have helped him formulate a "plan B".

Perez has been open in accepting Racing Point's decision to sign Sebastian Vettel for 2021 alongside Lance Stroll, although conceded some advance warning of the situation from the team would have been useful.

"I wouldn't say [I am] disappointed in that regard because obviously I understand that they had negotiations going on and they took probably longer than they thought," said the Mexican.

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"For me, a bit more clarity would have helped regarding my future as well because I would have looked for a plan B, which probably wouldn't have changed anything.

"I have been in the business long enough. It is part of this crazy world called F1."

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of the top and midfield seats for next year were taken during an early driver shuffle, leaving Haas and Alfa Romeo as the only realistic options for a drive next season.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has suggested the team could run a third car in its IndyCar programme for Perez, but the 30-year-old is hopeful of remaining in the F1 paddock.

The 30-year-old has competed with Racing Point for seven years since joining the team in 2014 when it was originally known as Force India and run by Vijay Mallya.

Despite his years of service, and the financial package he brings given the plethora of sponsors behind him, Perez can do nothing but effectively shrug his shoulder at the decision that has been taken.

"I put in a lot of effort for this team in many ways," added Perez. "At the same time, the team also, back then with Vijay, they gave me a great opportunity to carry on with my career. In the end, it didn't work out.

"I think a better opportunity came to the team, to the brand [with Vettel]. There is nothing I can do. It is not a performance-related thing, so as a driver there is not much I can do."

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