Sport Pesa Racingpoint F1 2019 unveiling
13 February 2019 marked a very special date in Formula 1 racing history. First time a Formula 1 race car livery was unveiled in North America. And luck for Canadian fans it took place in Toronto, just days before opening of the Canadian International Auto Show. It was quite appropriate, although team is registered in the UK, it has very deep North American connection. Consortium lead by Montreal fashion mogul Lawrence Stroll recently bought the controlling interest of Force India F1 team, which then became Sport Pesa Racingpoint. The two drivers, Canadian Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez from Mexico, makes it a the only team with two North American drivers. Also the Team Principal/CEO Otmar Szafnauer, who was born in Romania,to American father and Romanianmother grew up and attended university in Detroit.
Otmar Szafnauer and teams’ Technical Director Andy Green said that the biggest challenge for this year is the changes in F1 regulations. The shape and size of both front and rear wings has been made to allow cars follow much closer in the dirty air and facilitate more passing. This makes the mid section of the car place where majority of development will take place.
Mr Szafnauer also mentioned, that there will be a hard battle for the 4 th place in the standings this year. There are meny teams that can achieve this, and who have a lot of factory backing. How ever, Racingpoint is ready both financially and by determination to take on all competitors. He also indicated that he drivers need to compete with each other, but team comes first.
Sergio Perez went on to say that he was expecting to achieve teams’ #4 placing this year, couple of podium finishes together with Lance should clinch the title. The level of competition is high, as is the the level of drivers. The first days of testing will show the massive potential of the team. Team has gone through some difficult years, but one of the better things this year will be that Montreal will feel like home. Sergio is also looking forward to learning where all the good and the bad from Lance.
It was Lance Stroll’s suggestion that the unveiling should take place in Canada, and in Toronto. The fan base here in Canada deserved something special this time around. Lance commented, that he expects this to be most exciting season in Formula ! in a long time. When he woke up this morning, he could not help it, but feel to be a proud Canadian, whose dream has come true. According to Lance it feels like a breath of fresh air to be in a good car with lot of potential. Training in simulator has already commenced and it has shown very positive response from the car Lance feels that that he has an excellent chance to be back on the podium, maybe more than once this year.
The car has 1.6 L V6 turbocharged Mercedes Benz engine with energy recovery system, producing anywhere near 870 hp (last year’s spec). Transmission is Mercedes GP 8-speed semi-automatic.
