SportPesa Racing Point Team Revved Up For 2019 F1 Season

13th March 2019 - by Louis Kalinga

Mexican driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez will partner with Lance Stroll as the capable team sets sights on a successful debut season in their distinctive pink automobiles

In this handout from Sportpesa Racing Point F1 Team, ,SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team unveil their new livery with drivers Lance Stroll (l) and Sergio Perez including new title partner, Liverpool, UK-based SportPesa at the Canadian International Motorshow. PHOTO/GettyImages

SUMMARY

The newly revamped SportPesa Racing Point Formula One (F1) team is in high spirits and full of confidence as they prepare to kick-start the season at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne this weekend
The F1 season customarily begins in Australia, with action set to begin on Friday with the practice sessions before qualifying rounds the following day and the main race takes center stage on Sunday
Perez, who took his first F1 podium at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix with Sauber, went ahead to laud the Melbourne track and remains optimistic of an eye-opening season in the new team

NAIROBI, Kenya- The newly revamped SportPesa Racing Point Formula One (F1) team is in high spirits and full of confidence as they prepare to kick-start the season at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne this weekend.

The F1 season customarily begins in Australia, with action set to begin on Friday with the practice sessions before qualifying rounds the following day and the main race takes center stage on Sunday.

Formerly known as Force India, the Racing Point team enters the new season fully rebranded after entering a partnership with global gaming firm SportPesa.

Mexican driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez will partner with Lance Stroll as the capable team sets sights on a successful debut season in their distinctive pink automobiles.

“I am ready to start a new chapter in the history of this team.

“I feel very strong both physically and mentally and seeing the great spirit of our group of people gives me that extra bit of motivation,” Perez stated.

Perez, who took his first F1 podium at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix with Sauber, went ahead to laud the Melbourne track and remains optimistic of an eye-opening season in the new team.

The 21-race circuit will take a two-week break after Australia before the teams pack up and head to Sakhir, Bahrain for the second race of the 2019 season.

“Races in Melbourne tend to be unpredictable and that could give the opportunity for a special result.

“It’s a cool track to drive, especially when you have missed the thrill of racing for long,” Perez underlined.

Stroll has been described on numerous occasions as one of the most entertaining and promising young drivers in the F1 and his partnership with Perez has the billing to be an explosive one.

The 2016 FIA European Formula 3 champion is no stranger to the racing world, raised by Lawrence Stroll who was the part owner of Force India and is relishing the prospect of the new season.

“I feel really excited heading into the first race weekend.

“I love being down-under and since it’s the first race of the year, it feels even more special,” the 20-year old disclosed.

The Canadian-Belgian Stroll replaces Esteban Ocon who left to join the Mercedes Benz development programme at the end of last season.

Stroll achieved his first podium finish at the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, becoming the second youngest driver to finish an F1 race in the top three and the youngest to do so in his rookie season.

“My batteries are fully charged and I’m feeling in great shape. After those long cardio sessions and winter training camps, it’s refreshing to get back to the racing.

“It’s an extra special weekend for me because it’s also my first race in a new team. A lot of my friends have said they really like the colours of our car and everyone says it’s great watching trackside,” Stroll concluded.