Sergio Perez wants 2018 Formula 1 seat sorted by Belgian Grand Prix
Force India driver Sergio Perez hopes his Formula 1 2018 deal will be in place when the championship resumes after the summer break at the Belgian Grand Prix
Perez, a seven-time F1 podium finisher, is currently in his fourth season with Force India.
Though his 2017 seat was only confirmed last October, Perez wants to have clarity on his F1 future earlier in the year this time around.
"In terms of my future, I hope that once I come back to the next race after the summer break I can have a new contract," Perez said in Hungary.
Asked whether the contract will be with Force India, he responded: "That will be good, but you never know what will happen."
Force India team principal Vijay Mallya said earlier this month that negotiations had begun with Perez over a contract extension.
But it is believed Perez is on the radar of at least two other F1 teams.
Perez has enjoyed a strong fourth campaign at Force India so far, scoring points in all but two races, though there has been tension in his relationship with new team-mate Esteban Ocon.
Though Mallya recently suggested Force India still had hope of catching Red Bull for third in the constructors' championship, Perez feels improving on its current fourth-best status will be difficult.
"I think the team has been moving forward every year, although this year we are achieving the same position as the previous year," he said.
"We have consolidated that place and I see the team is moving forward.
"There is a lot more interest and sponsorship in the team, but it is not easy to make the next step with the big boys or big teams."
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