Racing Point plans 'performance step' in Singapore

SportPesa Racing Point F1 is hoping to follow on from a successful time in Spa and Monza by introducing new aerodynamic upgrades in time for this weekend's race in Singapore.

Sergio Perez picked up points for sixth place in Spa and seventh in Italy, which helped the team get back and running for the second half of the season.

Racing Point is currently in seventh place in the constructors standings, but is just fine points behind their closest rivals Toro Rosso with seven races remaining in 2019.

• Stroll: 'Perez pushes me 100 percent - makes me stronger'

“We head to Singapore with good momentum off the back of some strong results," noted team principal and CEO Otmar Szafnauer. "We were unlucky in Monza not to come away with both cars in the points, but we took away a lot of positives overall.

“We always felt we would be much stronger after the summer break and the results in Spa and Monza are good indications of what we can expect for the upcoming events," he continued.

"There are still seven races remaining – that’s a third of the season – and plenty of opportunities to score well."

He denied that the focus of the team had turned to its 2020 chassis, and revealed that there would be further new parts on the RP19 in time for this weekend's outing.

“The progress with the car continues," he said. "This weekend we bring further aero developments that should give us another performance step."

There's no question that the heat and humidity of Singapore will be a tough test, not just for the cars but also for the drivers behind the wheel.

“Singapore is probably the most demanding race on the calendar, certainly in terms of the physical side of things," suggested Lance Stroll. "To prepare for it, I do lots of training in the heat and endurance work.

"It’s a mental test of concentration as well. It’s narrow and, with the walls so close, there’s no room for mistakes. It’s a place where you put a wheel wrong and you’re in the wall. It really tests you as a driver.

"It’s quite a bumpy track and you have to be fully committed over the kerbs, so it’s a race where you’re really beating up the car. I remember having a pretty big headache after the race last year!"

Singapore is also Formula 1's only true night race, taking place under powerful spotlights and with team personnel 'time shifting' to stay on European schedules.

"The lights above the track are impressive," said Stroll. "They are so bright and I still use a dark tinted visor. It’s a really spectacular sight when the track is all lit up.

"It’s an odd one for your routine because we stay on European time, so you’re going to bed at three or four in the morning and waking up at midday.

"It’s different, but luckily we have blackout shades at the hotel. As long as housekeeping don’t come knocking on your door at ten in the morning you’re usually all good!"

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