Racing Point can be a 'massive surprise' in 2019

Racing Point's Sergio Perez believes that the team can be a "massive surprise" for the 2019 season. The previously named Force India squad found new investors last summer through a consortium of investors led by Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll.

Along with his financial input, Stroll senior has placed his son Lance alongside Perez, having spent two years at Williams. Stroll struggled to keep up with veteran teammate Felipe Massa in his rookie year and was forced to compete with an uncompetitive car last season.

2019 will be Perez's sixth year at the Silverstone squad, having joined prior to the start of the 2014 season. Stroll will be his third teammate at the team, but despite the fact that Stroll is the son of the owner, Perez doesn't aspect his hierarchy role to alter.

• Read more - Racing Point set the launch date for its 2019 car.
   

"I don't think it will change. At the end of the day, the interests of all the team, even the team owner, is that the team is very successful," he said. "So for that you need both cars to be at 100 per cent and for the team to develop as quickly as possible."

Stroll, who is still only 20 years of age, has drawn criticism in his two years in the sport so far. However, Perez expects that the 2016 European Formula 3 champion will grow stronger within the Racing Point team.

"He's coming in to a great team with great people, great engineers, where he's going to grow a lot. I see great things for the team," he insisted.
"I think we have all the guidance, we just need the budget and I think we can be a massive surprise next year."