Stroll aiming to 'unlock more potential' from RP19 in China

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Racing Point's Lance Stroll heads to China hoping to capitalize on last week's testing programme as the team aims to unlock more potential form its RP19 contender.

While Racing Point has finished in the points in Melbourne and Bahrain, the latter proved challenging for the pink squad, with Stroll finishing well down the order while team mate Sergio Perez lucked into a P10 finish thanks to Renault's late double-DNF.

"I'm not sure what to expect from this weekend in China," admitted Stroll.

"I hope we can be more competitive than we were in Bahrain because it’s a different sort of track.

"There’s a nice flow with some quick corners and it’s fun to drive. It’s a very wide track in places with one of the longest straights of the year.

"We often see some drag races down to the final hairpin and it is probably the best overtaking opportunity of the lap."

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Racing Point's RP19 received a few updates at Sakhir and there will likely be a few minor tweaks for Shanghai but for now, the team remains focused on extracting the most from its current package.

"We struggled with the balance of the car in Bahrain and it’s something we worked to improve during the test last week," added Stroll.

"We are still learning how to maximise the current aero package, but it feels as though we are moving in the right direction.

"I think we can unlock more potential from the car this weekend in China."

Like his colleagues, Stroll is looking forward to next weekend's milestone event, insisting the race will hold a special significance, even for a young driver such as himself.

"I’m proud to be on the grid for the 1000th F1 race," he said.

"I’ve been watching this sport all of my life and I must have seen well over 250 races.

"When I was very young and living in Canada I would wake up early to watch the races in Europe at breakfast time.

"I remember supporting Michael Schumacher and I would always go to the Canadian race with my Dad each year."

"Of the races I’ve driven in, there’s no doubt that Baku 2017 is my favourite.

"It was a race with so much drama and I think it was exciting for the fans. It was just as thrilling from inside the cockpit and is definitely my Formula One highlight so far."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.