Sergio Perez proud of being linked to Ferrari seat

Nico Hulkenberg on Thursday said rumours linking Sergio Perez to Ferrari are simply an "incentive" for his own side of the Force India garage. The Red Bull Ring paddock is abuzz with speculation Mexican Perez, who has stunned with his podium-worthy form in 2016, could be headed to Ferrari, even though he has a contract for 2017.

Perez told a swarm of reporters in Austria that while he is happy with his situation at Force India, he is also "proud" to have elevated his career to the dizzy heights of Ferrari rumours. "You never know what will happen in the future, so we'll see how things develop," he said. "We are getting closer to taking a decision on my future and then we'll see if there's an opportunity or not," added Perez.

His teammate, German Hulkenberg, would be forgiven for not enjoying the current situation, given Perez's doubled tally of points and the apparent opposite trajectory of his own career. But Speed Week on Friday quoted Hulkenberg, the 2015 Le Mans winner, as saying the Perez umours "don't bother me".

"I say it's good for him," he added. "Sergio is currently having a good run but that's an incentive for me and the people on my side of my garage," the Force India driver added. "The good news is that our car is very good. My crew and I just have to do a better job and eliminate the mistakes," said Hulkenberg. (GMM)