Spa and Monza results have kickstarted my season - Perez

Racing Point Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez says a return to the points at the last two races has kickstarted his 2019 season.

Perez, who recently signed a fresh three-year deal to remain at the Silverstone squad until 2022, appeared in the top 10 at three of the opening four races of the year before enduring an eight-round point-less streak.

The Mexican returned to the points with a strong drive to sixth in Belgium, before claiming seventh place at the following race in Italy. The results have lifted Perez above teammate Lance Stroll and up to 13th place in the drivers’ championship.

“Spa and Monza were not easy weekends, but we scored important points and it feels as though my season is properly underway now,” Perez explained.

“The hard work at the factory is paying off and we are doing a good job at the track too. There’s a great feeling in the team just now: a nice atmosphere and excitement about the rest of the year.

“I’ve had some good drives in Singapore over the years. It’s a track layout I like and I have always enjoyed street tracks.

“You have to be aggressive and accurate and it’s a track where you can make the difference as a driver.”

At the Italian Grand Prix, Perez said Racing Point could now target ending 2019 as the fourth-fastest team, and the revitalised outfit is planning to introduce its latest major upgrade package at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

“We head to Singapore with good momentum off the back of some strong results,” team principal Otmar Szafnauer added. “We were unlucky in Monza not to come away with both cars in the points, but we took away a lot of positives overall.

“We always felt we would be much stronger after the summer break and the results in Spa and Monza are good indications of what we can expect for the upcoming events.

“There are still seven races remaining – that’s a third of the season – and plenty of opportunities to score well. The progress with the car continues and this weekend we bring further aero developments that should give us another performance step.”