Perez: Racing Point targeting fourth-fastest car by end of season

Racing Point is aiming to have the fourth-fastest car on the Formula 1 grid by end of the 2019 season after a “transition” year, according to Sergio Perez.

Following the takeover of the old Force India operation midway through last year, Racing Point has spent 2019 looking to rebuild and lay plans for the future after finding some stability.

Racing Point sits seventh in the constructors’ championship with seven races remaining this year, boosted by Perez’s recent points hauls at Spa and Monza.

But the Mexican is eager to continue this recent momentum and make the team the leading midfield outfit by the end of the season.

“We’ve definitely made some progress, and we are making [progress], so it’s definitely encouraging to have the targets for the rest of the year,” Perez said at Monza last week.

“I want to make sure we finish the season with the fourth-best car on the grid, regularly, across different circuits. That will be a good finish to the season.”

The midfield fight has been closely-fought between McLaren, Renault, Racing Point, Alfa Romeo, Haas and Toro Rosso through 2019, with each of the teams looking like the lead runner on occasion.

Perez said a three-tenth of a second gain over the team’s rivals was required if it wanted to pull clear by the end of the season, but conceded it was a lot to find.

“I think a step of three-tenths on top of what we have is what we need to be regularly the fourth-fastest team out there,” Perez said.

“It’s very close, but three-tenths considering no-one improves is a big step.”