Sergio Perez happy to stay at Force India in 2015

By Bharat Sharma

NEW DELHI: Mexican Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez says he will be happy to stay at Sahara Force India next year after an "up and down" first half of 2014, during which he managed to achieve the Silverstone squad's first podium in five years.

Retirements and a heavy last lap accident in Canada meant that Perez could score in six out of 10 rounds this season, while his German teammate Nico Hulkenberg is the only one alongside Ferrari's Fernando Alonso to have scored in every race so far.

Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the end of which marks the one-month mid-season break, Perez felt it was a mixed first-half for Force India.

"It has been an up and down first season for me with Force India. Getting a podium (third place) for the team in Bahrain was the highlight of course and the lows were not able to finish the race from points scoring position," Perez, who moved to Force India from McLaren, told PTI ahead of the race at Hungaroring on Sunday.

The drivers' line-up talks for next season have already begun in the paddock. Force India team principal Vijay Mallya said in Hungary yesterday that "I am very happy with both of them (Perez and Hulkenberg) and I see no reason why we should be looking at any change (for 2015)."

Asked about his future at Force India, Perez, who compliments his driving skills with substantial sponsorship from Mexico, said, "I see no reason why I should be looking at a change. The team is hungry for success and it is the same for me as well. I hope things will be clearer in the next couple of months."