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Perez moving closer to new Force India deal

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Sergio Perez says he is moving closer towards a new deal at Force India amidst rumours he could be replaced by reserve driver Dani Juncadella for 2015.

Reports in Spain this week suggested Juncadella, who is backed by Force India sponsor Astana, has moved into contention to replace Perez after the Mexican admitted to talking to other outfits. But Perez is not dwelling on the latest rumours about his seat and insists he wants to stay at Force India beyond 2014.

"All I can say is, for me we are still discussing a deal for next year," Perez said when asked about the rumours. "Juncadella, I really don't know more [than the reports]."

Perez was unceremoniously binned by McLaren after just one season last year but he says he is not worried about history repeating itself.

"Not really [concerned]. I mean here I am in a different position, here it is more up to me to decide and I am trying to sort out things with the team and get a deal in place. I'm confident we will do that together. It's all part of a deal we have to do with the team. That's not something to discuss with the media, it's something to keep on our side to discuss internally with the team. But I think we are closer to doing a deal than we were."

Perez - who is driving for his third team in three years - thinks the drivers market looks more closed than in previous years and wants to establish himself as a Force India driver rather than an F1 mercenary jumping from team to team.

When asked if he was looking at other teams, Perez replied: "No, there are not really much options out there and I'm happy that the team is really progressing well. I know what we are doing for next year especially so I would like to have a second year at this team, ideally. When you move teams so much you don't really establish yourself so I want to establish myself in a team and I think to do that a second year is the best thing."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.