Force India: Perez deal 'not far off'

A deal to keep Sergio Perez at Force India for 2018 is "not far off," according to the team's chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer.

Perez has been at Force India since the start of the 2014 season, having joined the team from McLaren. The Mexican has impressed over the past four seasons and is currently seventh in the drivers' championship, just 11 points behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. With Perez also bringing substantial backing to the team, Force India is keen to keep hold of the 27-year-old and Szafnauer is confident of agreeing a new contract.

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"We haven't quite signed Sergio yet but we're not far off," Szafnauer said. "I think we can get it done by Spa. The high likelihood is that we're going to stick with our two drivers but I can't say that 100% because not both of them are signed."

With Pascal Wehrlein's future at Sauber uncertain due to the recent Ferrari power unit deal – expected to result in Charles Leclerc driving for the Swiss team in 2018 – Szafnauer was asked about the possibility of running the German, to which he replied: "There's always got to be a plan B.

"So, if for some reason we don't sign Checo – but I believe we will – then you've got to look around, including Wehrlein. He's not so bad!"

However, Szafnauer reiterated his belief that Force India will retain stability throughout the team in 2018 and is hopeful that will lead to increased competitiveness.

"I think the drivers will get better because they'll learn more, I think the engine will get better because Mercedes upgrade every year. The pink [livery from sponsors BWT] - I don't know how much more pink it can be because it's pretty pink! But we're working hard on getting the car to go quicker.

"There's some things we can do in the short term which we will do and I hope that relative to the top three we'll be closer next year."

Force India currently sits fourth in the constructors' championship on 101 points, but is 83 points behind third-placed Red Bull.