Sergio Perez reveals he is 'very close' to signing a new deal with Force India

Sergio Perez says he is very close to signing a new deal with Force India.

A year ago, Perez’s future in F1 at the tender age of just 23 was suddenly plunged into premature doubt when McLaren, less than a year after hiring the Mexican as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, dumped the youngster in favour of Kevin Magnussen.

Yet a year is a long time in F1. After securing a lifeline at Force India for 2014, Perez has enjoyed a profitable and impressive campaign – capped by a podium finish at Bahrain – and is now ready to sign a contract extension with the team.

“Things are getting very close to sorting out the deal with the team, I definitely want to stay for longer and establish myself with the team. In my four years in Formula 1, I’ve probably been moving around too many times,” Perez said.

“I want to do a second year with the team, that is my target and hopefully everything goes right and we can announce something soon.”

Force India announced last week that Perez’s current team-mate, Nico Hulkenberg, will be staying on for 2015.

The German is currently eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, scoring 76 points to Perez's 47.

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DRIVER LINE-UPS FOR 2015

MERCEDES
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg

RED BULL
Drivers: Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat 

FERRARI
Drivers: TBC

WILLIAMS
Drivers: Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa

McLAREN
Drivers: TBC

FORCE INDIA
Drivers: Nico Hulkenberg and TBC

TORO ROSSO
Drivers: Max Verstappen and TBC

LOTUS
Drivers: Pastor Maldonado

SAUBER
Drivers: TBC

MARUSSIA
Drivers: TBC

CATERHAM
Drivers: TBC