23/08/2018
NEWS STORY
While his team doesn't yet have an official entry in this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, or even a name, Sergio Perez insists it's very much business as usual as he looks forward to the second half of the season.
While Lawrence Stroll and friends might have bought the factory, the cars, the transporters and pretty much everything else, it didn't buy Force India's entry in the Formula One World Championship.
And while officials buzz around like blue-arsed flies attempting to rectify the situation in a manner that will please all concerned - a difficult task at the best of times in F1 - Perez doesn't appear unduly bothered.
"As far as I'm concerned, no... it's business as usual," he replies when asked if he is concerned he might not race this weekend.
Perez, whose legal action last month put the team into administration, said he was happy with the way things have developed since the last race in Hungary.
"I was at the factory in the week, and the people I was seeing, there was a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of positivity going forwards, so definitely a good sign," he continued.
"The team is quite optimistic, quite happy, we can see a release on the upgrades coming for the future, we see a different structure, and financially the team has a much more stable future for the coming years. So I think that can directly be linked to track performance."
Three weeks back, the team and Perez were under a cloud, the Silverstone-based outfit put into administration following legal action taken by the Mexican. At pains to explain he took the action for the sake of the team, it was, nonetheless, a difficult time for him.
"I'm just a driver and I'm here to perform at my best, and it's been quite difficult the last couple of months in that regard. I'm able to focus now on being a racing driver."
Asked whether he expects to be retained - amidst talk that Lance Stroll could be drafted in as early as next week at Monza, Perez was giving little away.
"I know what I'm doing for next year, so when there is a time to communicate, I will communicate," he said. "But for now I know what I'm doing for next year, so no more to say on that.
"Actually everything is very much completed," he added, "so it's just a matter of timing right now. I think there are other priorities than communicating what my future is, so we're here racing focussing on Spa, and as I said it's just a matter of time before I'm able to confirm."
Check out our Thursday gallery from Spa, here.