Perez: Racing Point best option after Ferrari, Merc

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Chasing a top three finish in 2019, Sergio Perez says if he can’t be with Ferrari or Mercedes, Racing Point is a “great place to be.”

This year will mark the Mexican driver’s sixth season with Racing Point, formerly known as Force India.

Perez has been instrumental in helping the team punch above their weight with back-to-back fourth places in 2016 and 2017.

This year they want more.

“Top three is the target,” he told FormulaRapida.

“It takes time, we are very far from the top three team in terms of pace, but that is the target to try to move up as soon as possible.

“It is not going to happen from night to day, but that is the target that is in the back of our minds.”

Under new ownership after Lawrence Stroll led a consortium that bought the Formula 1 team in August last year, Perez re-signed with Racing Point for the 2019 championship and reckons they are the best option on the grid.

Last season he was the only driver outside Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull to reach the podium, doing so at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a P3.

“I have been here for a lot more years than I thought it to be.

“I am comfortable here, I am very optimistic. I think if you cannot be in a Ferrari or Mercedes, Racing Point is a great place to be.

“I think definitely, there’s a huge potential in this team.

“I have been the best of the rest for the last two years – was very close to be for the third year in a row – so there is a prospect to go forward.

“We will see how things go for next year, I am definitely very excited about the future of this team.

“I have been charting with very much the whole team from mechanics to engineers, catering and everyone is really excited.”

The Mexican has complete faith in Racing Point’s new bosses.

“Lawrence is very enthusiastic about this project, he knows that it is a long-term project and I think we have great direction with the team bosses.

“Everything should be in place just to expand. Also, we have to be aware that it takes time.

“We have seen with other teams how much it took them but I think the team that can go to the next step is Racing Point.”

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