Perez: Force India the best option outside top three

Sergio Perez firmly believes that Force India is the best place for a driver to be if they are not racing for a top three team. Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are in a league of their own this season, with third-placed Red Bull already 141 points ahead of fourth-placed Renault.

Despite being currently two places behind Renault in the constructor's standings, Perez claims that the Silverstone based squad is the best behind the top trio. The Mexican's future is not completely certain, but it is expected that he will stay where he is for next season.

"If Force India is in good hands, then I would like to stay," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "It's still the best team behind the big three. I used to wait forever for a decision from Ferrari, but this year I'm not so I hope the decision is sooner," Perez added.

Perez has also criticised the gap between the top three teams and the rest of the field. So far this year, Perez is the only driver outside of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull to have claimed a podium finish.

"There are two categories in Formula 1," he said. "That's the biggest problem the sport has to improve. There has to be more than three teams team fighting for victory. It's not a fair sport anymore."

Force India's future was in major doubt for many months before a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll invested in the team. Lance Stroll is set to join as one of its drivers next year, while either Perez or Esteban Ocon will stay on. However, as Perez has significant financial backing, it is likely that he will remain for a sixth season with Force India.

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • Big mistake as Renault are a manufacturer, really trying and with half decent budgets, and FA is now owned by a group of investors who will not want to put much cash into the team after the initial honeymoon phase is over. And as big as their pockets are, they still won't want to blow it on F1 and will start fighting among themselves once the reality of paying the bills hits home. The Billionaire coming into F1 and leaving as Millionaire keeps rolling back into the sport, they never learn, until their pockets have been well emptied.

    • + 0
    • Aug 22 2018 - 16:49
  • Im not sure it is anymore. It used to be, and that Merc' engine probably still give them some extra points, but Merc aside I think Haas is the current shoe in for best of the rest. Renault is let down by their engine, and I wonder if Force India will be able to keep it up next year, but Haas only issue as of present is the retirements from their drivers and disintegrating chassis, and the Ferrari engine is now so good that it seems almost negligible whether you run Ferrari power or Merc' might.

    • + 0
    • Aug 22 2018 - 18:45
  • That's what I would say if there are no other options! Renault and Ferrari B-team Haas are getting more and more the hang of it, so Checo, I'm afraid your talent isn't reconned any more because Ocon is ahaed of you.

    • + 0
    • Aug 23 2018 - 08:00

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Cadillac F1
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country MX
  • Date of b. Jan 26 1990 (36)
  • Place of b. Guadalajara, MX
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar