Perez: ‘It will be the first time we can arrive in Melbourne with a solid package’

Sergio Perez says Racing Point is better prepared than ever before for the first race of the new season.

[f1tv2020testa]Heading into his seventh season with the team, which was previously known as Force India, Perez says the team’s pre-season testing arrangements have previously been compromised.

“It will be the first time in our history that we can finally arrive in Melbourne with a solid package, with a car that you’ve done the pre-season with,” he said. “I don’t know where we’re going to be, but definitely we’re going to arrive a lot more prepared to the start of the season.”

“We can focus and learn so much compared to other seasons where we were always late with our car,” he added.

The new RP20 has clear outward similarities to last year’s Mercedes and uses some of the world champions’ hardware. “I hope it will perform like their car,” said Perez.

“But I think it’s still very early days. We have so many things to go through, a lot of work. The team is working flat-out.”

Racing Point technical director Andrew Green said the RP20 was the product of a new design philosophy. Perez said he supported the change but agrees it is a risk for the team.

“It is because after so many years you’re used to your design and to change that dramatically your car is changing quite a lot. The way it operates, it’s very different. So it’s a huge risk. But I think it’s worth taking it.”

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2020 F1 season

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