Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Force India: Perez re-signed but 'games played' amid Ferrari talk

Sergio Perez re-signed with Force India "several weeks ago" according to Vijay Mallya, during which time the team principal says "games" have been played over his Formula 1 future

Perez had been linked with Ferrari, speculation he refused to play down himself when asked about the subject, until Kimi Raikkonen's new 2017 deal was announced on Friday.

Yet Mallya has confirmed to Autosport a contract for Perez to remain with the team next year was concluded much earlier this season.

"Sergio has signed for 2017, and we also have Nico [Hulkenberg] as well, as you know," Mallya told Autosport

"Checo knows, and I know, we have a signed contract. I would not be saying it if it was not signed.

"It's a signed contract, done several weeks ago."

Asked about all the rumours of late regarding Ferrari, Mallya replied: "He has a smart manager in Julian Jakobi.

"I guess it's a manager's job to play these games, to keep people guessing, to enhance his market value, or whatever.

"It's not for me to comment, but as far as the team is concerned, I can confirm he has signed."

On Perez fuelling the speculation himself by not knocking it back when given the opportunity, Mallya said: "What driver - in private - does not want to sit in a red car?

"Anybody who graduates into Formula 1, it's almost an aspiration to sit in that red car."

The deal means both Perez and Hulkenberg are contracted through to the end of next year, with Mallya unable to look beyond then and assess his line-up for 2018.

"I can only talk with what I have in hand. There is no point me counting the birds in the bush," said Mallya

"The 2018 season is a long way away from now, but they are locked in for 2017."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article British GP: Hamilton pips Mercedes F1 team-mate Rosberg in FP1
Next article British GP: Hamilton fastest as Rosberg's Mercedes sidelined

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe