Sergio Perez: Force India keep Mexican driver for 2019 Formula 1 season

Force India are seventh in the constructors' championship, despite losing the 59 points Sergio Perez (front) and Esteban Ocon picked up in the opening 12 races of the season before the team went into administration

Sergio Perez will stay with Force India for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

The 28-year-old Mexican has been with the team since 2014 and is seventh in the drivers' championship with seven points finishes in the past nine races.

Perez has been credited with fending off a winding-up petition against the team by starting administration proceedings earlier this year, saving all 405 jobs at their Silverstone base.

"I'm very happy to finally announce my future," said Perez.

"We've achieved so much success in the last five seasons but I think the best is yet to come."

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Perez's team-mate next season is expected to be Williams' Lance Stroll, son of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll - the man who led the takeover of the team by a consortium in the summer.

The administration proceedings were triggered by Perez - who was owed salary payments - as part of an agreement with management to save the team, which was in financial difficulties related to the legal problems of then-owner Vijay Mallya.

In return, Perez was guaranteed a seat in 2019 at Force India, for whom his Mexican sponsorship backing is important.

"The new investment the team is enjoying fills me with confidence and I'm really excited about the future," said Perez, who came third in Azerbaijan in April and fifth in Belgium in August.

Five of Sergio Perez's eight career podium finishes have come while he has been at Force India

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer said: "I'm pleased that Sergio will continue his journey with us in 2019. Over the last five years he has confirmed his position as one of the most talented and consistent drivers on the Formula 1 grid."

Frenchman Esteban Ocon, Perez's current team-mate, is 11th in the drivers' championship, four points behind Perez, but faces an uncertain future in the sport.

The Mercedes-contracted driver could be without a seat in F1 next year, although he has been in talks with Williams, who are yet to confirm who will partner 20-year-old Briton George Russell.

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