On To The Next: SportPesa Racing F1 Team Eyes Chinese GP Improvement

2nd April 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

Drivers Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll believe they can power their machines to the top-10 of better in Shanghai on April 14

Sergio Perez of SportPesa Racing Point F1 team takes a corner during the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, March 31 in Manama, Bahrain. PHOTO/SPN

SUMMARY

Perez and Stroll finished 10th and 14th in Bahrain on Sunday- with the former scoring his first point for his team- having been forced to battle from the back of the grid due to mechanical problems that affected their cars during qualifying
The Mexican star has fond memories of the Middle-East track, having finished third five years ago during his debut season for his team, formerly known as Force India
Stroll echoed Perez in insisting lessons learned in Australia and Bahrain would serve them well in their quest to at least have both SportPesa Racing cars inside the top 10 or higher

NAIROBI, Kenya- SportPesa Racing Point Formula 1 Team drivers, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll believe they can power both cars to finish inside the top 10 at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 14.

Perez and Stroll finished 10th and 14th in Bahrain on Sunday- with the former scoring his first point for his team- having been forced to battle from the back of the grid due to mechanical problems that affected their cars during qualifying.

Gaining four places each from their starting positions at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) had given the SportPesa Racing drivers confidence they can attack the opposition and finish higher in China.

Perez, who started in 14th place last Sunday, did well from lights out and gained a few places but in a tough race that unfolded in high winds, had to rely on some exceptional driving throughout the 57-lap circuit to protect his position.

“It was good to pick up my first point of the season. It was an unpredictable race and in that sense, it’s a nice surprise,” Perez told SportPesa News after the demanding race.

The Mexican star has fond memories of the Middle-East track, having finished third five years ago during his debut season for his team, formerly known as Force India.

“I made a really good start and gained a few positions but I couldn’t hang on to it for long because of a slight issue with the brakes that forced me to pit earlier than I had planned to,” Perez told SportPesa News after the dramatic showdown in Manama ended.

Lost opportunity

“We got a bit lucky with both Renaults retiring, but at the same time the safety car didn’t help me because I was closing in on (Alexander) Albon and lost the opportunity to overtake him for ninth," the Racing Point driver added.

“Considering all that happened in the race, we can be pleased to pick up a point and now we shift our focus to the upcoming Shanghai Grand Prix,” Perez underscored.

Teammate Stroll got SportPesa Racing off scoring blocks when he garnered two points at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 17.

However on Sunday, Stroll rued a coming together at the frenetic start of the race that ultimately cost him the chance to push for a top 10 finish, having rising from 18th to bring his car home in 14th.

“Unfortunately I made contact with (Romain) Grosjean and there was damage forcing me to pit early for a new nose.

“We were racing wheel-to-wheel and these things happen, but it was costly because my race was pretty much over after that,” the Canadian-Belgian rued.

Serve well

“We carried on racing and pushing but we couldn’t recover after losing so much time. The wind had really picked up out there, but everyone was in the same boat and after a few laps we got used to it," the young racing sensation offered.

Stroll echoed Perez in insisting lessons learned in Australia and Bahrain would serve them well in their quest to at least have both SportPesa Racing cars inside the top 10 or higher.

“We finished the race and there’s plenty to analyse, but we have got to see where we can improve before we get to China,” Stroll highlighted.

World champion Lewis Hamilton led teammate Valtteri Bottas to the Mercedes 1-2 under floodlights at the BIC.

The biggest surprise was Ferrari new boy Charles Leclerc who sealed his first podium with a third-place finish but the 21-year old was a little disappointed not to win after dominating majority of the race.

Ex Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo and his current Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg both crashed out of the race and forced all other drivers to reduce their speed, having to finish the race behind the Mercedes Benz safety car.