Belgian Grand Prix – Racing Point have confirmed that Sergio Perez will stay with the team for three more years, finalising the team’s line-up for 2020.
The announcement isn’t really a shock – Sergio Perez has been expected to remain at Racing Point for next year. However, what is a surprise is the length of the contract; the Mexican driver has signed a three year extension to stay with the team until the end of 2022 at least.
With the former Force India’s financial future secure under new owners Racing Point, Perez has opted to commit his medium-term future to the team as they climb their way back into the upper midfield.
Perez will race alongside Lance Stroll in 2020 – an unsurprising confirmation considering his father Lawrence is part of the Racing Point consortium.
“I’m very excited to extend my partnership with the team for the next three years.” said Perez, who has raced for the team for six years, including five years under their previous guise as Force India. “I’ve been working together with this group of people for a long time now and they have become my second family. Together we have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success and we share the same passion for racing. I have been impressed with the direction the team has taken over the last twelve months and that gives me confidence for the future. I believe the best times are still to come and I look forward to celebrating plenty of podiums in the years ahead.”
Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer was delighted to confirm the deal, saying: “We know Sergio Perez very well and it’s great to confirm him on a long-term deal. Over the last six years we have seen him become a very complete driver with excellent qualifying speed and exceptional race craft.”
“Sergio believes in the long-term vision of this project and getting his commitment until the end of 2022 gives us valuable consistency going forward. As the team continues to grow and develop it’s important to have a driver with Sergio’s level of experience, especially with new regulations on the horizon. The whole team is thrilled to continue working with Sergio and I believe we can enjoy great success together in the coming years.”
