Racing Point confident Baku will play to RP19's strengths

Racing Point believes that the Baku City Circuit will play to the strengths of its 2019 car.

In the three years that the city has held a Formula 1 Grand Prix, Sergio Perez has finished on the podium twice when the Silverstone squad was known as Force India. 

The team has struggled to keep up with the midfield frontrunners so far this season but has managed to get one car inside the points at the opening three races.

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer states Racing Point is "determined" heading into round four of the championship, and hopes it can keep up its run of top ten finishes.

“We arrive in Baku determined to extend our run of points finishes," he said. "It’s a place where we have had success in the past and I think the track layout will play more to our strengths compared to Bahrain and China.

"At this time of year we just need to keep up our consistency and picking up points when we can.

"We know the middle of the grid is very close but nobody is running away in the points’ race just yet. There is all to play for because we are only five points away from fourth place in the standings”

Perez, who finished third in Baku in 2016 and 2018, says the street circuit is one of his favourites that Formula 1 visits throughout the year, as it poses a great challenge to the drivers.

“Baku has become one of my favourite races of the year," he said. "It’s a quick lap with good overtaking opportunities and that seems to generate lots of drama.

"I love the lap and it’s a real challenge for the drivers because the walls are close and you have to be so precise. Street circuits generally really test the drivers and I actually wish we had more on them on the calendar.

“I’ve been on the podium in Baku at two of the three races so far and I think my podium last year was one of my best races. I remember getting ahead of [Sebastian] Vettel and then keeping him behind me during the final laps.

"I had to concentrate so hard and I drove some of the best laps of my life. Each lap was like a qualifying lap!

“This team has always been competitive in Baku so I am hopeful the same is true this year. For a number of reasons the track layout has always suited our cars.

"It’s a track where you need good top speed and confidence on the brakes. I was happier with our performance level in China, especially on Sunday, and we need to find the same rhythm in Baku.”