Perez hoping for announcement before Malaysia

Sergio Perez is hoping his future in F1 can be announced before the next race in Malaysia.

The Mexican is now regarded as the key to the 2017 driver market, with the seats at Force India, Renault, Toro Rosso and Williams all linked with the outcome.

Perez had announced after the Italian grand prix that he should be able to make an announcement in Singapore.

"Well, I tried," he said.

"Obviously there are some delays. But I really hope that before the next race we can definitely announce where I’ll be racing."

It seems clear, however, that Perez and his backing by the Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is staying put at Force India.

"Well, I always say I’ll be very happy if I can stay, if everything is fine for me to stay where I am," he said in Singapore.