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AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Mexican Sergio Perez will continue his run for Force India in 2019, the Formula One team said Thursday in an announcement confirming what was already a secret secret in the paddock.
Formula 1 – Grand Prix of Japan – Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Japan – October 6, 2018. Force Sergio Perez of India to the training. REUTERS / Issei Kato
Force India did not specify the identity of the other driver, but it would be the case of Canadian Lance Stroll, whose father, billionaire Lawrence, is in charge of the car. a consortium that now controls the Silverstone-based group.
The extension of the contract of the Mexican also means that the young French French Esteban Ocon, well noted, and teammate of Perez this season, will not be part of the racing program next year.
Perez, 28, played a major role in the events that led to the team's takeover in August and has been saying for some time that he had no worries about his future and that he knew where he was going to run.
Force India, formerly co-owned by Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya, struggling financially, took office at the end of July after Perez claimed $ 4.01 million in claims.
The action was supported by the team's engine supplier, Mercedes, and the team's sponsor, BWT, who also owed significant amounts.
The team, now known as Racing Point Force India to stand out from the predecessors of Sahara Force India, is expected to change its name next year.
"I'm very excited to finally announce my future and I'm really motivated for 2019," said Perez in a team release before the US Grand Prix and the next Mexican race.
"Force India has been my home since 2014 and has allowed me to grow as a driver and show my skills on the right track."
The Mexican, who joined Force India after a difficult year with McLaren after two seasons with Sauber, won five podiums with the team, including a third in Azerbaijan last April.
The only Mexican driver of the sport also brought an important sponsorship.
McLaren is not in the top three since the opening race of 2014.
Force India Force Director, Otmar Szafnauer, said that Perez has established himself as one of the most talented and consistent drivers of the Formula One grid.
"It gives us valuable stability for the future and is a great asset for this team," he added.
The only chance for Ocon to compete in Formula 1 next season is Williams, a Mercedes actor who is the current employer of Stroll, who has so far confirmed the only British leader in Formula 2, George Russell .
Like Russell, Ocon also has a long-term contract with Mercedes and is a talent that defending champions nurture for the future.
Report by Alan Baldwin, edited by Pritha Sarkar
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