Racing Point to run 'quite different' car in Melbourne

  • Published on 12 Mar 2019 13:13
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Racing Point team principal Otmar Szafnauer says that his team will unveil a "quite different" car for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

During pre-season testing, the team confirmed that it would be bringing a significant upgrade to Melbourne.

At Barcelona, it didn't rack up strong mileage due to a lack of parts. But as it prepares for its first year under its new identity, it is aiming to start the year strongly with a heavily upgraded car this weekend.

"Winter testing saw us achieve our main objectives and we took away a lot of positives, but the car you will see in Melbourne is quite different from the car we ran in Barcelona," commented Szafnauer.

“We took the strategic decision to give ourselves the maximum time to develop the car, to maximise our performance at the first race, and that meant holding back a little during testing.

"It’s not easy introducing new parts late in the day and we know it will be a steep learning curve, but we believe this approach will pay off in the long run.”

Szafanuer is expecting another close battle between the midfield teams, as he labels Racing Point's upcoming season as a "transition" year.

"A big part of the RP19 was designed before the new shareholders acquired the team so this is very much a year of transition,” he said.

“The aim this year is to take a step forward and compete at the front of the midfield once again.

"We recognise this won’t be an easy task because it’s shaping up to be one of the closest midfields we have seen for a long time – with just a few tenths separating a handful of teams.

“We are realistic about the challenge ahead of us and the amount of work needed to achieve our objectives.

"It’s a long season and we have a solid development plan in place. I’d like to think we can be fighting for points in Melbourne and that’s certainly the first objective heading into the first race weekend.”

RogerF1

Posts: 501

It would be heartwarming to see a Merc customer team consistently wup the works team. Here’s hoping.

  • 1
  • Mar 12 2019 - 23:21

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • I have little reason to think they'd produce an inadequate car, so I absolutely think they'll challenge for P4 come Melbourne.

    • + 0
    • Mar 12 2019 - 16:45
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    It would be heartwarming to see a Merc customer team consistently wup the works team. Here’s hoping.

    • + 1
    • Mar 12 2019 - 23:21
    • Yeeees! :D

      (But I don't think that'll happen...)

      • + 0
      • Mar 14 2019 - 06:26

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country United States of America
  • Date of b. Aug 13 1964 (58)
  • Place of b. Romania, United States of America
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar