Sergio Perez says he is close to agreeing a new deal to stay at Racing Point and is hoping to agree a long-term contract.

Perez told journalists on Thursday “my priority will be to continue with the team” but his new deal is not done yet.

“We are finalising it but you know in Formula 1 until it is done it’s never done. As I said I see very good prospects or the future so I look forward to it.”

The team has benefited from the investment provided by Lawrence Stroll, whose consortium bought the team when it went into administration 12 months ago.

“The prospect and the ambitions of the team are very big,” said Perez. “It would be good to get a long-term deal here because I see that the team is going forwards. I think it works both ways as well and we ideally would like to commit for a long-term deal. So hopefully we can work out the terms and everything.”

Perez was involved in triggering administration proceedings at this race last year over money he was owed by the team. He said he is proud he was able to help put the team on a more secure financial footing.

“It’s definitely a good place to be,” he said. “I’ve been here very long with this team.

“I remember coming here, what a weekend I had last year in terms of all the administration process and all of that happening here. To come back here after one year and to see where the team is and where it’s heading to I feel very proud of that.

“I definitely have unfinished business. Although I’ve been here a very long time with the team, I see more to come.”

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2019 F1 season