Racing Point summer upgrade will mean an 'almost new car'

© XPB 

Racing Point is planning to implement a massive upgrade in time for next summer's German Grand Prix, changes that will lead the team to field a practically new car according to technical director Andy Green.

Backed by adequate resources, Racing Point has embarked on a transformation programme that will include a new factory at its Silverstone-based premises.

But in the short term, the pink squad is developing its 2019 contender at a strong pace, introducing new parts and exploiting its recently acquitted access to Mercedes' wind tunnel facility in Brackley.

In Barcelona, Racing Point's RP19 received a new front aero and suspension package, but the biggest development step will hopefully be seen at Hockenheim at the end of July.

"This is a big one," team principal Otmar Szafnauer told Motorsport.com. "And the aerodynamic philosophy changes as well, so it's a big thing.

"We have to try and get it in asap, hopefully before Hungary."

According to Green, the RP19's updates are destined to solve the car's balance issues, a weakness that clearly hit the team's performance last weekend in Barcelona.

"It's a difficult circuit for us with respect to the balance of the car that we've had recently," Green explained.

"And I'm talking over the last few years, it's something we haven't been able to address fully for a while.

"But we have some new parts coming, almost a new car coming, before the summer shutdown. Hopefully we'll address some of the issues that we tend to have at this type of circuit."

©RacingPoint

Earlier this year, Green said the team was in catch-up mode with regard to development, a short-fall linked to last summer's dire financial situation, before Lawrence Stroll and fellow investors took over the outfit's affairs.

"We are still playing catch up to a certain extent, but we're not stopping, that's the beauty," said Green.

"We're not going to stop learning now and focus on something else, all the ideas we've got keep on developing.

"They're all coming through, update after update. I don't think we'll catch up fully until the new car. Next year is a ground up new car."

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