Perez says Racing Point wouldn't stand in way of 'big team' chance

It was confirmed last weekend that Sergio Perez has nailed his colours to the Racing Point mast with a new three-year deal. He is excited about the project and the stability it brings, but that commitment doesn’t mean he’s ruled out one day driving for one of Formula 1’s bigger teams…

Perez, who joined the Silverstone-based team for 2014, will be 32 when his new Racing Point deal is up, meaning there could still be plenty of opportunities at the Mexican’s feet – Kimi Raikkonen will be 41 when his Alfa Romeo deal expires at the end of next season, after all.

And if an opportunity at one of the big teams currently fighting for wins arises before the end of his deal, Perez says Racing Point would be open to discussing the options.

“I know that there might be some movement around [in 2021],” he said. “But I’ve been so long in this team that if a big opportunity came up definitely the team will be happy to consider it. That for me is not a concern. It’s more to work together for the next three years and we have big targets to achieve.”

Perez, who drove for McLaren in 2013, having begun his F1 career at Sauber, has had discussions with Ferrari and Mercedes in the past regarding a race seat – and he has not given up hope of one day getting a chance to show his skills in race-winning machinery. But if it doesn’t happen, at least in the short term, he’s delighted to be with Racing Point, which he believes has a bright future.

“I am realistic,” he said. “There’s no point right now for me to say that I’m going to have a chance with Mercedes or Ferrari for next year. There were years that I was close. It hasn’t been for the last years.

“I have an opportunity with a team I can grow with. So why not? You see these days that it’s difficult for people to find a team where they feel comfortable, not just with the racing side, but the project the team has, that was important for me.

“I’m not saying the opportunity with a top team will not happen anymore as you never know what will happen in Formula 1, but I’m just pleased I have a long—term deal with a team that has a big future ahead.”

Sergio Perez is currently 13th in the drivers’ standings, level on points with Nico Hulkenberg, while Racing Point are seventh overall, three points behind Renault.

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