Perez denies talks with Racing Point rivals

Jon Wilde
Sergio Perez mask helmet.jpg

Sergio Perez insists he is not in talks with any other F1 teams – even though Racing Point refuse to officially confirm his seat for next year.

The Mexican’s place with the constructor set to be rebranded as Aston Martin for 2021 is reportedly under threat from Sebastian Vettel, who is seeking a drive having been dropped by Ferrari.

Racing Point have only said the “status quo” remains regarding their 2021 line-up, with team owner’s son Lance Stroll considered more likely than Perez to keep his position.

Vettel was seen leaving Silverstone recently in the car of Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer, with the four-time former World Champion claiming he had only been given a lift to a petrol station before the duo went their separate ways.

Perez, while fully aware of the speculation, maintains he is continuing as normal on the basis that he will remain with the ‘Pink Panthers’ next season.

In his Belgian Grand Prix media interviews, quoted by Autosport, Perez said: “I think it is, as I’ve said before, a matter of time.

“I feel really happy in the team. I believe in the project, I’ve been here for a while, and I can see how the team is going upwards.

“We all feel internally that everything is working well. We don’t see the reason why we should change anything. I don’t see any reason to change. I think we are enjoying a great season on track and things are working really well in the team. I don’t expect any change.”

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Asked if he was currently talking to other F1 teams about a drive for 2021, Perez replied: “No. The feedback I get from within the team is that we all want to continue.”

He added there were “discussions in the background” with the team about next year’s plans, explaining why there had been no announcement yet, but remained relaxed about his future.

“All the feedback I get is really positive, so I stay with that, and that’s where my confidence comes from and where we stay calm,” said Perez.

“It’s a situation that’s out of my hands so I don’t even bother at all. I focus on racing, enjoy it and whatever happens is out of my hands, so I don’t even give attention to it.”

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