Sergio Perez has admitted that it is possible his powerful Mexican backers will call time on his tenure at Force India at the end of 2016.
Team supremo Vijay Mallya has said that both Nico Hulkenberg and his current teammate are definitely staying for 2017, but Mexican Perez has been linked with potential moves to Renault or Williams.
When asked if it is possible he will leave Force India, Perez replied: "Yes."
The 26-year-old, who is backed by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim and his companies, explained: "It's up to me and the group of sponsors.
"If we're moving around teams, we take the decision together with the group of sponsors that I have and that decision has not been taken."
Perez, who has been particularly on form in 2016 with two podiums, is regularly a factor in Formula 1's annual 'silly season', and that is due in part to his powerful backing.
"My deals are not so simple as I have a lot of sponsors that have to do deals and so it takes longer," he admitted.
Perez currently lies eighth in the drivers' championship ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix on August 28.
