Racing Point's Sergio Perez says a lot remains at stake in the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi where the Mexican hopes to close the curtain on the 2019 season with a solid haul of points.
It's been a long year for the Silverstone-based outfit which finds itself on the eve of the final round of the world championship in the same seventh-pace position in which it concluded its 2018 campaign.
In Brazil, Racing Point lost a spot to Toro Rosso in the Constructors' standings following Pierre Gasly's unexpected podium finish.
Perez's team will be hard pressed to overhaul the junior bull outfit given the 15 points that now separates the two teams, but the pink team's drivers will give it their all given the potential financial benefits linked with his team gaining a position in the final rankings.
"It’s important we end the season on a high in Abu Dhabi," said Perez.
"It’s been a long year and there is still a lot at stake. Brazil didn’t go well for us – even though we scored points – and we need to come back strong this weekend.
"When you get to the final race you just need to keep focused on the job ahead.
"Everybody is starting to think about next year, but you want to finish the season well so that you can go on holiday feeling happy.
"Nobody wants to have a bad final race so we will do all we can to end the year with a strong performance."
Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer offered a reminder that his team, and Perez in particular, have often performed well in the past at Yas Marina.
"It’s a circuit we’ve gone well at in the past – particularly with Checo, who has scored points there in every race with the team since he signed in 2014 – so we’re feeling positive heading into the weekend," Szafnauer said.
"The Yas Marina is a great setting for the season finale. Although it gets very hot during the day, the evening is much more pleasant, and the circuit looks spectacular under the lights.
"They really know how to put on a show and the facility itself is first class, which I’m sure the whole paddock appreciates at the end of a long season.
"It’s been a transitional year for the team and optimism for 2020 is high. But for now, the focus is on scoring points this weekend.
"Reclaiming sixth place in the Championship will be a big task – but we all want to end 2019 on a positive note and will keep fighting until the very end."
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