Force India F1 team completes 2016 line-up with Sergio Perez

The Silverstone-based team announced the Mexican had been retained alongside Nico Hulkenberg in the build up to the Japanese Grand Prix.

It comes after Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley had hinted it would wait for Perez's home race in Mexico, though the driver himself had hoped to confirm his future before last weekend's race in Singapore.

"I am very happy to confirm that I will be staying with Force India," said Perez. "It means I can simply focus on the important stuff - driving the car and scoring points for the team.

"Since coming here I've really grown as a driver and I feel I'm performing at my best.

"I can feel the potential in the team and there is a good energy, which gives me confidence for next year.

"I think we can continue to deliver strong results and I will do my best to help drive the team forward."

Perez joined Force India in 2014 after a disappointing one-year stint with McLaren, and scored the team's second-ever podium, five years after the first, with third in that year's Bahrain Grand Prix.

He is currently ninth in drivers' standings, three places and nine points ahead of team-mate Hulkenberg.

That form, which includes five points finishes in the past six races, has the 25-year-old playing a key role in Force India's pursuit of fifth in the constructers' championship, a factor team principal Vijay Mallya was keen to higlight.

"You only have to look at his results in the last three races to see that he is performing at the top of his game," Mallya said.

"He's done a fantastic job for us already and when we give him a competitive car we know he can get the job done.

"He's also got a great attitude and never gives up - it's that fighting spirit which fits well with this team."

2016 F1 DRIVER LINE-UPS

Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton/Nico Rosberg
Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel/Kimi Raikkonen
Williams: Valtteri Bottas/Felipe Massa
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo/Daniil Kvyat*
Force India: Nico Hulkenberg/Sergio Perez
Lotus: Pastor Maldonado/tbc
Toro Rosso: Max Verstappen*/tbc
Sauber: Marcus Ericsson/Felipe Nasr
McLaren: Fernando Alonso/tbc
Manor: tbc
Haas: tbc

* likely but not confirmed